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Cited by 135Reflective Practices in EducationAdult and Continuing Education TopicsInnovative Education and Learning Practices

Towards a theory of the Ecology of Reflection: Reflective practice for experiential learning in higher education

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Harvey, Marina, Coulson, Debra, McMaugh, Anne·2016·Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice
DOI 10.53761/1.13.2.2
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Abstract

Reflective practice is widely adopted across the field of experience-based learning subjects in higher education, including practicums, work-integrated learning, internships, service learning and community participation. This adoption of reflective practice implies that it supports student learning through experience. When reviewing the evidence for the role of reflection for learning, it became evident that not only was there no clear agreement about the definition of reflection, there has been little theoretical development in this area. An integrated participatory action research and ecological approach was adopted to build a theory about the ecology of reflection for learning through experience. Through this process the assumptions, or truths that are taken for granted, that underpin the new theory were declared and substantiated. Key concepts and the principle tenets of the theory were then identified and defined, leading to an overview of the ecologies of the learner, the learning context and the experiential learning context.

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Cited by

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Authors
Harvey, M., Coulson, D., & McMaugh, A.
Affiliations
Macquarie University (AU)
Corresponding author
Harvey, Marina
ORCID
Venue
Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice
Publisher
Open Access Publishing Association
Published
2016-10-01
Volume
13
Issue
2
ISSN
1449-9789 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.53761/1.13.2.2
OpenAlex
W4242926314
Cited by
135
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5
FWCI
38.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (publishedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Macquarie University
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Reflective Practices in Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Adult and Continuing Education Topics
  • Social Sciences › Human Factors and Ergonomics › Innovative Education and Learning Practices
Keywords
reflective practice, experiential learning, higher education, reflection theory, learning context, work-integrated learning, internships, service-learning, community participation, practicum

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