1. BPS-DSEP Annual Conference 2013 Emerging from the swampy lowlands: Critical issues in the theory and practice of reflection Brendan 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. 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? Questions for You

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