bcropley@cardiffmet.ac.uk @ BrendanCropley

1. BPS-DSEP Annual Conference 2013Emerging from the swampy lowlands: Critical issues in the theory and practice of reflectionBrendan Cropley, Gareth Picknell, & John Peel bcropley@cardiffmet.ac.uk @BrendanCropley

2. Setting the Scene • Importance of different forms of knowing and learning • Value of reflective practice within experiential learning has been frequently reported • Yet issues still exist (and have emerged) regarding the theory and practice of reflection Theoretical / positivistic knowledge Knowledge of self– Living Educational Theory Craft / Decision making knowledge

3. Presentation Aims • Raise awareness of the issues concerning reflective practice within sport (psychology) • The evidence • Using RP as assessment • The practice • Consider a ‘way forward’ for the field • Can we emerge from the ‘swampy lowlands’?

4. Issue 1: The Evidence • The evidence base for reflection has recently been questioned (e.g., Picknell et al., in press) • Does RP actually do what it says it does? • Impact of the ‘traditional epistemology’ • Are these traditions hampering uptake? • Evidence, understanding and practice borrowed • Why don’t we do it more or better?

5. Issue 2: RP as Assessment • RP is a highly personalised process • Using RP as a form of assessment impacts on the process and engagement • The process becomes sanitised • ‘Getting it’ versus learning ‘how to do it’ • Likely that RP is becoming a technical rational activity (Trelfa & Telfer, in press)

6. Issue 3: The Practice • Seen in academic terms • Trainees and students not prepared to succeed • Should be considered as “RPs” and the spectrum of approaches embraced • Models and question structures should guide the process and not debilitate it

7. Implications: Individual Develop the skills and attributes for reflective practice Develop an ‘ecology of practice’ and ‘living educational theory’ Effective RP through action planning

8. Implications: Field Educate, facilitate, practice Understand the value of different reflective levels (Accepting) The emerging evidence base

9. From the Swampy Lowlands

10. Questions for You • Are your RPs a ‘sometime’ thing, or an ‘all the time’ thing? • How has the role and/or depth of reflection evolved as you have progressed through your careers? • How might you better encourage reflective practice in yourself and in others?

11. Developing Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology through Reflective Practice: Explorations of Professional Practice, Issues with Reflection and Modern Research TrendsQUESTIONS?