Embedding Reflection in Coursework (Tutorial/Workshop Activities, Assessment Tasks)

Many professions require evidence of an ability to reflect. Many educators, supervisors or mentors are not sure how to help their students, novice professionals or mentees to develop the professional skills of reflective practice. Reflective practice is constituted of two elements, reflection and practice, and their interaction. Metacognitive skills are important. In the pre-employment phase, it is sometimes difficult to provide ‘action’ on which to reflect. Scaffolds can be helpful for embedding metacognition, action and reflection. This chapter presents practical examples of coursework activities and assessment tasks with some sort of embedded ‘action’ on which to reflect, to aid in the development of habits of reflection.