Structured reflection

Career Development Module: Experience of teaching and assessing structured reflection

What is it? 

A suite of learning, teaching and assessment resources developed to support students to learn from their experience on the Career Development module. 

How does it work? 

Students critically analyse examples of reflective writing to identify and evaluate evidence of each stage of a specified structured reflection model e.g. Gibbs, Johns or Rolfe et al. Career Development assessment criteria focus on students' application of reflective learning rather than the scale or success of the outcome. 

Why does it work? 

Analysing example reflections helps students develop a clear understanding of what effective reflective practice looks like. By identifying evidence of each stage of a model, students learn how to move beyond description to critical analysis, evaluation and action planning. Assessing the quality of the reflective process, rather than the outcome of the experience, promotes deeper learning and recognises development. 

Find out more 

Want to know more about the resources and material the Careers Service have developed for teaching structured reflection? Contact your Faculty's Team Manager: 

Jessica.Jung@newcastle.ac.uk (HaSS Faculty Team manager)

Chris.Roberts@newcastle.ac.uk (SAgE Faculty Team manager)

Gillian.Mabbitt@newcastle.ac.uk (FMS Faculty Team manager)

More information

Employability education is often best integrated within programme modules where there is collaboration in the design and delivery between careers professionals and academic staff from the discipline. When demand for support is high, we may need to prioritise support for programmes and modules where the potential impact on student outcomes is greatest.