What is a Critical Reflection? Introducing the “What, So What, Now What” Model

Summary

Critical reflection is a formal process of evaluating experiences to promote personal growth. It involves three stages: 'What?' (recounting the event), 'So What?' (analyzing the significance and lessons learned), and 'Now What?' (applying the learning to future actions). This reflection is not just about positive outcomes but about learning from all experiences. It encourages connections to course concepts and requires specific examples to explain how the experience has influenced beliefs or actions. By critically reflecting, individuals gain insights that lead to improved decision-making and future actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Critical reflection involves a formal process, not just thinking back on past events.
• 😀 It's about considering how experiences have contributed to personal growth.
• 😀 A critical reflection is not just a summary or report of feelings, but involves making connections between events, learning, and future actions.
• 😀 The key to critical reflection is identifying what you’ve learned and how it changes your beliefs or actions.
• 😀 Reflections don’t have to focus on positive or successful experiences; we often learn most from things that didn’t go right.
• 😀 When reflecting, it’s important to choose an experience that led to personal growth or changed your beliefs or actions.
• 😀 Critical reflections should be tied to course concepts if asked, ensuring the experience is relevant.
• 😀 The 'What? So What? Now What?' model by Terry Borton is a useful three-stage process for critical reflection.
• 😀 Stage 1: 'What?' involves objectively recounting the event without judgment, like replaying a movie in your mind.
• 😀 Stage 2: 'So What?' involves analyzing the experience to understand its importance, connections to learning, and insights gained.
• 😀 Stage 3: 'Now What?' focuses on applying the learning, reflecting on how the experience has changed you and how you’ll act differently in the future.

Q & A

What is critical reflection?

Critical reflection is a formal process that involves thinking deeply about experiences, understanding how they have led to personal growth, and considering how we might act differently in the future as a result.

How is critical reflection different from regular reflection?

While we reflect on events regularly, critical reflection is more structured. It requires a formal process that involves analyzing experiences and linking them to future actions or learning, rather than just recalling what happened or how we felt.

What makes a reflection 'critical'?

A reflection becomes 'critical' when it makes connections between the event, the lessons learned, and how those lessons will influence future actions or thinking. It goes beyond summarizing the event and delves into deeper analysis.

Can a critical reflection be about a negative experience?

Yes, critical reflection often comes from negative or challenging experiences. These situations can provide valuable insights and lessons that can lead to personal growth and change.

What is the purpose of choosing an experience for critical reflection?

The purpose is to select an experience where you learned something significant, something that has changed your beliefs or actions in some way. This ensures that the reflection leads to meaningful learning.

How can course concepts be incorporated into critical reflection?

When reflecting, it is essential to relate the experience to course concepts. This helps to contextualize the learning within a broader framework and demonstrate how the experience aligns with or challenges academic theories or principles.

What is the 'What? So What? Now What?' model of reflection?

The 'What? So What? Now What?' model, developed by Terry Borton, is a three-stage process designed to guide critical reflection. It involves: 1) What happened? 2) So what was significant about it? 3) Now what will you do as a result of this learning?

What is the focus of the first stage, 'What?'

In the 'What?' stage, you focus on objectively recounting the event or experience. You replay the situation in your mind, aiming to avoid any judgments and simply observe what happened.

What is the purpose of the 'So What?' stage?

The 'So What?' stage is about analyzing the experience. It involves reflecting on what was important about the situation, how it connects to learning or course concepts, and what lessons were gained from it.

What should be considered during the 'Now What?' stage of reflection?

The 'Now What?' stage focuses on applying the lessons learned. It involves reflecting on how the experience has changed you, how you will think or act differently in future situations, and what specific steps you will take moving forward.

What is essential when writing a reflection paper?

When writing a reflection paper, it's important to provide specific examples, explain the significance of the experience, connect it to relevant concepts, and demonstrate what you've learned and how you will apply this learning in the future.