Reflective practice is the ability to reflect critically on one's own thoughts, emotions, actions, decisions and assumptions in order to improve professional understanding, judgment and future action, while resisting automatic reactions. Donald Schön's 1983 book The Reflective Practitioner introduced the closely related concepts of reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action. The practice is valued in professional learning because it lets practitioners develop from their own work experience rather than formal instruction alone, connecting theory to practice, though its value depends on pairing reflection with critical analysis, feedback and evidence rather than relying on it alone.
Facts
Core ClaimReflective practice is the ability to critically examine one's own thoughts, actions, decisions and assumptions arising from professional experience in order to improve judgment and future action, bringing together theory and practice through deliberate reflection. 2 Classification
Education Level FAQs
Where did the idea of reflective practice come from before Donald Schön?
The idea is much older than Schön. John Dewey was among the first to write about it in the early 20th century.
The source describes the concepts behind reflective practice as much older than Schön's 1983 book. It notes that for the philosopher Immanuel Kant, reflective judgments play a key role in scientific enquiry. Earlier in the 20th century, John Dewey was among the first to write about reflective practice, exploring experience, interaction and reflection, and soon after, researchers such as Kurt Lewin and Jean Piaget developed relevant theories of human learning and development. Some scholars have also claimed to find precursors in ancient texts such as Buddhist teachings and the Meditations of the Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius.
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Source Reflective practice (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Reflective Practice (Wikipedia)
an important tool in practice-based professional learning settings where people learn from their own professional experiencesView the Source 2. Reflective practice (Wikipedia)
WikipediaOpening paragraph, first sentence
Reflective practice is the ability to reflect on one’s thoughts, emotions, actions, decisions, assumptions, and professional experiences so as to take a critical stance or attitude towards improving one’s own practice, understanding, judgment, and future actions, while challenging automatic reactions and assumptions and engaging in a process of continuous adaptation and learning.
History and background section, first sentence
Donald Schön's 1983 book The Reflective Practitioner introduced concepts such as reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action which explain how professionals meet the challenges of their work with a kind of improvisation that is improved through practice.
In Group: Reflective and Work-Based Professional Learning, Lead
Reflective practice is the ability to reflect on one's thoughts, emotions, actions, decisions, assumptions, and professional experiences so as to take a critical stance or attitude towards improving one's own practice, understanding, judgment, and future actions, while challenging automatic reactions and assumptions and engaging in a process of continuous adaptation and learning.
Developed By: Donald Schon, sections of the article
Donald Schön's 1983 book The Reflective Practitioner introduced concepts such as reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action which explain how professionals meet the challenges of their work with a kind of improvisation that is improved through practice.
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