Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Reflection Essay
Introduction
Reflection is commonly used in studies to enable the learner to be able to reflect on their
own experiences and use this to further their knowledge and understanding. By reflecting
upon the experience will help to improve and develop new skills and inevitably the quality of
work will be higher (What is reflection?
, 2020).
Reflection is not a static process but a dynamic one that is constantly evolving as needed
and skills and experiences are taken on board. They can generally be defined as,
● Analysing what we are currently doing?
● Consideration of what we have already learnt.
● The experiences you have had.
● What all these experiences have taught you.
Types of Reflection
There are two main types of reflection: reflection in action and reflection on action, their
differences are mainly when the reflection experience takes place. Reflection in action is
reflecting upon a situation that you are currently going through whereas reflection on action
is reflecting after an event has taken place.
Reflection in action typically requires quick thinking where observation skills and listening
play a key role in the reflection, this then leads to a change in the views and opinions of a
person. This type of reflection usually becomes finely tuned over a longer period due to
gaining experiences in the past that allows for a greater quality outcome. This type of
reflection usually takes place when a person is in a stressful situation or is feeling nervous
and apprehensive, this is also utilised when something has gone wrong.
Reflection on action is the practice of performing reflective exercises post event, this involves
analysing past events and turning the information into knowledge that can then be used in
future experiences. This type of reflection tends to challenge preconceptions that the person
has had in the past (Comparison Between Reflection-On-Action and
Reflection-In-Action, n.d.)
There are many ways of documenting the reflective experience such as,
●
●
●
Logbooks - A logbook can be used to note down thoughts and feelings and is
particularly helpful in planning work to do or to keep track of progress. A logbook also
provides a good snapshot of feelings at the time and can be used to reflect upon
Voice notes - This is the same as a logbook but by using a voice recorder to note
down any entries. The information can be easily stored and maintained using
computers and accessed anywhere an internet connection is available.
Gantt charts - A Gantt chart is a very popular management tool that enables the
planning of projects and events etc, the Gantt chart enables a clear visual
representation of the order in which tasks need to be completed and gives the user a
clear timeframe to complete these tasks. Many different software packages are
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
available with many different features, these can mainly be internet based so can be
accessed everywhere. If any issues or changes to the plan are required notes can be
left so on reflection it is recorded why these changes have taken place and maybe
changes in future projects can be made.
To assist me in the project I decided the best methods for me were to keep a logbook and
Gantt chart. I have used both in other project work and have become familiar with how they
both work and the results I can get from both. I found keeping a logbook, although time
consuming, very useful in trying to remember what tasks I have completed and planning the
next week's work. Due to the length of the project, I also found the logbook a handy tool to
note down thoughts and feelings at the time, this gave me a clear picture of how I felt even
though I may have forgotten a lot of it,
Below is an example of a diary input from the research project.
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Figure 2 Gantt chart for the research project.
The above Gantt chart was used for the duration of the project, dates and timescales did
have to be modified during the process as the amount of work required for each section
became clear.
Models of Reflection
There are many different types of models of reflection that have been created by experts in
this field that enable a clear structured pathway to follow when performing a reflective
exercise. There are many different models available, and they all provide different ways to
assist in analysing an event, below are listed three popular reflection models (Brush, 2020).
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Boud’s Reflective Model
Boud’s model of reflection focuses on past events and learning from them, there are 3
stages to the model. Stage 1: Return to the experience
The first stage of the Bouds model of reflection is to look back on an event and understand
what happened.
Stage 2: Connecting emotions and feelings.
The second stage is to connect with both the positive and negative emotions of the event
and to remove any negative emotions that may be causing an obstruction. By understanding
the feelings and emotions of the event enables a greater learning experience and improves
the quality of outcomes.
Stage 3: Evaluating the whole experience.
The final stage of the reflection process is to re-evaluate the whole experience. There are
four main elements to this stage that the learner must consider.
● Association
This stage is to consider any additional information that has been gathered or learned
and relate it to the knowledge that they already have.
● Integration
This stage looks at the new information gained and reviews previous understanding
and then looks for relationships between the two.
● Validation
This determines the whether the emotions and feelings are authentic.
● Ownership
Taking on board all the knowledge that has been gained in the experience and using
this in future work.
(Toolshero, 2020)
Advantages of Boud’s Model
● It can develop negative thoughts into positive.
● Helps to create a greater commitment to work.
● Increases awareness of one's own emotions and feelings.
(Model of Reflection in the learning process, 1985)
Gibbs Model
The Gibbs reflective cycle was first developed by Graham Gibbs in 1988 and is a framework
for reviewing experiences in six stages.
● Step 1 generate a description of the event or experience.
● Step 2 Note down what feelings and thoughts you had during the experience.
Matthew Molesworth
●
●
●
●
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Step 3 Evaluate the experience, this includes both positive and negative.
Step 4 Analyse the situation
Step 5 Conclude the findings and what you would do differently next time.
Step 6 Create an action plan on how situations like this will be dealt with in the future.
The first step is generating a description of the event in detail, this can be achieved by asking
the following questions,
● What happened?
● When and where did it happen?
● Who was present?
● What did you and other people do?
● What was the outcome of the situation?
● Why were you there?
● What did you want to happen?
The second step is to explore the feeling at the time of the event again by asking questions
about how you felt during the experience such as,
● What were you feeling during the situation?
● What were you thinking during the situation?
●
●
What do you think about the situation now?
What were you feeling before the situation?
The third stage of the Gibbs reflective cycle is to evaluate the situation and determine what
went right and what went wrong. Questions used to assist in this stage of the reflection
include,
● What about the experience was good or bad?
● What went well?
● What did not go well?
● Did other people contribute to the experience and was their contribution good or bad?
The fourth stage is the analysis stage where the experience is reviewed, and the information
already obtained is used to be able to make sense of the situation. This is then followed by
the conclusion where all the information is then bought together, and improvements are then
developed.
An action plan is then put in place to ensure that next time a similar situation arises there are
skills and experiences in place to assist in the improvement of the experience to help create
better outcomes.
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020)
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Atkins and Murphy Model
The Atkin and Murphy model was developed in 1994 expanding on other models of
reflection. The model concentrates on difficult experiences the user has had and analyses
the feeling in that moment. This model requires a lot of detail for it to be useful and can
become intense.
Stages of the Atkins and Murphy Model,
● Stage 1 Awareness of thoughts and feelings
● Stage 2 Describe thoughts and feelings.
● Stage 3 Analyse these thoughts and feelings.
● Stage 4 Evaluate the relevant knowledge.
● Stage 5 Identify any knowledge gained.
Advantages of Atkins and Murphy Model
●
●
●
Provides a lot of detailed information and encourages deep thought.
Can be used in many different fields.
Very intuitive and easy to follow model.
Disadvantages of Atkins and Murphy Model
●
●
As it is such a complex process and goes into a lot of detail, this model does not
allow for quick decision making.
Does Not allow consider the context of the event, as its just feelings that this model
concentrates on.
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Driscoll Model of Reflection
The Driscoll method of reflection is based upon three questions, What? So What? And Now
what? The “What”? Stage is a descriptive stage whereby the event is described; this requires
the events to be noted correctly and truthfully. Questions that can be asked to assist with this
stage are,
● What was it that happened?
● What actions did you take?
● How did you react?
The next stage of the cycle is “So What”? This stage examines the feeling you had during
the event which by triggering the cognitive processes allow for development to occur. The
types of questions that you can ask yourself during this stage are, ●
What did you
feel during the event?
● Why did you react the way you did?
● What positive aspects did you incur?
● What negative aspects did you incur?
The final stage of the Driscoll cycle is “Now what”? In the stage of the cycle the learner
needs to be able to accept any weaknesses or errors that have occurred. This stage also
highlights any areas that have been strong. The final stage creates a self-awareness of the
oneself which can then be used to improve the performance the next time a similar situation
arises. Question that can be asked during this stage are , ●
What impact did the
event have on you?
● What actions would you take next time?
● What information would you require next time?
(Essay Writing Service, 2021)
Project research context
As part of my studies towards the HND in general engineering there is a requirement to
/complete a research project. I chose to research whether there was a need to upskill the
workforce within RLC to meet the need of future work requirements. This looked at the skill
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
level of the workforce and whether specifically in RLC there would be an issue in the future.
A large component of the research was to determine the type of work that is likely to be
required in the future. The research was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative
data gathered directly from the workforce within RLC and the results of this analyses against
current industry papers.
The project was broken down into key milestones with each being assessed with
assignments. The first stage was to create a project proposal where the idea for a project
was developed and decided. The second stage was to perform a review of the literature, this
was to research and review scientific and industry papers.
To perform a reflection on my project I am going to use the Driscoll cycle, What? So What?
And Now What?
Self-Reflection on the experience
“What?”
My initial thoughts on the project were that it would be like previous projects I have
completed in previous years. Having attended the first lecture it became quite clear that this
would not be the case and feelings of anxiety and panic were quickly present. The first stage
of the project was to generate a project proposal, this would involve selecting a project topic
to study and develop a project proposal document. The timescale of the project proposal
was generous which did lead to numerous weeks of relaxed reading trying to home in on my
final research topic question.
During this early stage within the project, I felt a lot of pressure to pick a subject that I would
be able to write about along with collecting data for.
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Figure 3 Early diary entry showing struggle to choose a project topic.
“So What?”
The selection of the project and development of the hypothesis was a struggle for
me, this is something that I have not done before and found that although I thought I
had a good question it was too vague. My initial research skills were not that refined
so I found I would be researching a lot of useless information that would not be
helpful to me. The more I practiced research and after receiving a lecture on
research techniques I was able to generate a research question that I could go with.
In the early stages of the project, I managed to keep scheduling relatively easy, there
was a generous amount of time given to the initial stages.
The subject I chose had a lot of good sources, I felt this enabled me to be able to find a lot of
information quite quickly and the number of academic papers available was plentiful.
“Now What?”
Looking back on the process I have learnt how to efficiently use research techniques to find
information. This can be utilised in future projects so I should not feel the same stress as
before. Although the time scale was very generous, I did relax a bit too much in the initial
stages which has had a knock effect on the rest of the project and did generate unnecessary
stresses. I would need to manage my time better in future projects, unforeseen delays due to
covid 19 and working from home did not help.
“What?”
The next stage of the project was to create a literature review, this is something that I have
never heard of before. The project title had been decided so no was required to go and read
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
numerous papers on the subject. I had a good idea where I wanted the project to go after
reading some of the papers and reports.
“So What?”
Reading reports and papers was something I found very difficult, I found trying to find the
time to read them especially at home extremely difficult as I was being distracted a lot, I
eventually read may if them and felt pretty good about where I wanted the project to go,
having read an example of a literature review it felt like quite a daunting task. English is not
one of my strengths and the quality of work required is very high, although I felt confident in
the proposed structure of the literature review, I did struggle trying to get what I was saying
in my head onto paper, this did improve as I went on, but I did find I was rewriting the same
paragraph over and over until it sounded how I wanted which did take a lot of time. One of
the major issues I did face during this time was that I changed employers, this meant I had to
rush the data analysis through which put a lot of strain on me to create the literature review.
“Now What?”
I have improved my writing skills during this process and now have a good understanding of
how a literature review is created and what is required. This will help if I am required to do
another. The task of writing a literature review will not be as daunting as this time.
When reading the research papers, I will take and write notes on each one as I did find
myself remembering that I have read something somewhere but did not know where. This
led to an awful lot of time wasting re reading reports to try and find out where it was, I read it
so I could reference it properly.
“What?”
After the literature review had been completed the next stage of the project was to carry out
data gathering. This was by giving out questionnaires to the workforce and one for the
management team at RLC.
“So What?”
This stage was very stressful. I was rushing to try and get all the information and data
gathered before I left for new employment, I was left with only one week to create the
questionnaires as well as gather as many responses as possible. This rushing I felt lowered
the quality of the work and the level of response. I did get a good return on the shop floor
responses, but the management response was poor which could have ended up skewing the
results which was highly annoying.
In the middle of trying to interpret the data we went into a circuit breaker lockdown which
meant I had to work from home and the kids were also at home, this led to an almost
standstill in work and errors occurring.
I did not read the criteria properly for the research methodology which led to me missing out
on a lot of requirements for the section. This has then led to increased stress levels trying to
catch up with the work.
“Now What?”
There are many lessons to be learnt in the section, firstly to read the requirements of the
criteria correctly and understand what is meant before diving in and messing it up. This led to
wasted time on an already tight timescale. Time management skills need to improve
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
although it would be very difficult to do this when at home in lockdown, but the recovery from
being behind has been positive and this can then be taken into the future where I am put into
a difficult situation, I can draw on this experience and remain calm.
Conclusion
Throughout the project I have learnt many new skills which I will be able to utilise in future
work and projects. I have learnt how to research correctly, and the skills needed to perform
efficient research. I have also learnt how to create a literature review and what that entails,
which will help with time management in the future.
My confidence going into another project will be much greater, the use of diaries and Gantt
charts has really helped me to manage my time better.
When reading research papers in the future I will make sure that I am taking notes and
organising them correctly. With my refined search techniques and understanding of the type
of research I need I can confidently perform research again,
I have grown in confidence when it comes to formal report writing, having never completed a
literature review before, so I have and have taken key planning and writing skills from the
project.
This project has also taught me to reflect on the events of the project to fully understand how
this helps in the future.
Bibliography
Brush, K. (2020, 03). model of reflection
. whatis.com. Retrieved 02 21, 2021, from
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/model-of-reflection#:~:text=A%20model%20of
%20reflection%20is,knowledge%2C%20past%20experiences%20and%20beliefs.
Comparison Between Reflection-On-Action and Reflection-In-Action. (n.d.). Gibbs Model for
Reflection. Retrieved 02 21, 2021, from https://www.paypervids.com/comparisonreflection-action-reflection-action/
Essay Writing Service. (2021, 01 01). What is the Driscoll Model of Reflection?
Driscoll
Model of Reflection. Retrieved 03 01, 2021, from
https://essaywritingserviceuk.co.uk/advice-and-guidance/driscoll-model-of-reflection
Matthew Molesworth
Engineering Project
HND Level 5
Model of Reflection in the learning process. (1985). Research Gate. Retrieved 02 21, 21,
from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Model-of-Reflection-in-the-LearningProcess-Bo ud-et-al-1985_fig1_325514655
Toolshero. (2020). Boud Reflection Model
. Toolshero. Retrieved 02 21, 21, from
https://www.toolshero.com/personal-development/boud-reflection-model/
The University of Edinburgh. (2020, 11 11). Gibbs' Reflective Cycle
. Reflection
Toolkit. Retrieved 23, 02, from https://www.ed.ac.uk/reflection/reflectorstoolkit/reflecting-on-experience/gibbs-reflect ive-cycle
What is reflection? (2020). OpenLearn. Retrieved 02 02, 2020, from
http://www.open.edu/openlearn.ocw/mod/oucontent/view