Reflections on applying the Synthesised Model of Reflection as an assessment on an MSc Occupational Psychology Stage 1 course.

Presentation from the Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology annual conference in September 2023.  

Abstract:

Purpose: 

To share experiences of applying a new model of reflection, designed to enhance reflective practice, on an MSc Occupational Psychology (OP) course.

Background: 

Challenges with reflective assessments lacking criticality, future direction and being treated like a tick-box-exercise due to focusing on a single experience, are documented in the literature. The Synthesised Model of Reflection (SMoR), a novel, proactive approach, offers one solution. The SMoR has four stages; 1) self-evaluation identifying development needs which inform setting goals; 2) reflecting upon multiple experiences to address development goals; 3) synthesising the learning from these experiences; 4) re-evaluating the self, following learning.

Methods: 

The SMoR was piloted with an MSc OP cohort (N=10) as an assessment for learning, scaffolding reflective portfolio keeping skills. Learning from research methods were transferred to scaffold a structured, robust and systematic and approach to reflective practice and integrated into tutorials throughout the year. Specifically:

Conclusions: 

During re-accreditation, students and the external panel highlighted the SMoR as a core strength of the course. Whilst strengths in reflection were observed in the assessments, due to the small cohort size, measuring the impact was not possible to obtain beyond student preference and satisfaction. Next steps include a larger-scale, longitudinal, potentially cross-institutional, evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the SMoR as a tool to support reflective practice.