Reflection in action and reflection on action are crucial processes for learning and improving performance, serving distinct but complementary purposes.
Essentially, reflection-in-action is for making immediate, on-the-spot adjustments, while reflection-on-action is for learning from experiences to improve future approaches.
Understanding the Two Types of Reflection
Learning from experience is fundamental, and reflective practice offers a structured way to achieve this. The two main forms, reflection in action and reflection on action, address different timeframes and goals.
- Reflection-in-Action: Occurs during the activity itself. It's thinking on your feet, making sense of a situation as it unfolds, and adjusting your actions in real-time.
- Reflection-on-Action: Happens after an event or experience. It involves looking back, analyzing what happened, why it happened, and considering what you might do differently next time.
The Purpose: In the Moment vs. After the Fact
Based on the provided reference, the core purpose of each type of reflection is clearly defined:
Reflection-in-action suggests that adjustments are made in the moment, whereas reflection-on action may lead to adjustments to future learning and actions.ยน
This highlights the primary difference in their purpose: immediate adaptation versus future learning and improvement.
Comparing Reflection-in-Action and Reflection-on-Action
Here's a table summarizing the key differences in purpose:
| Feature | Reflection-in-Action | Reflection-on-Action |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | During the activity | After the activity |
| Primary Goal | Immediate adjustment/adaptation | Learning for future improvement |
| Focus | Navigating the current situation | Analyzing past events and their outcomes |
| Outcome | Real-time course correction | Insights for planning and changing future behavior |
| Nature | Often intuitive, rapid processing | More deliberate, analytical |
Reflection-in-Action: Adjusting in the Moment
The purpose of reflection-in-action is to enable practitioners to think critically while they are doing. It's about being present and aware, noticing unexpected outcomes, and making spontaneous decisions to alter your approach.
- Examples:
- A teacher noticing students look confused and immediately rephrasing their explanation.
- A surgeon encountering an unexpected issue during an operation and adapting their technique instantly.
- A salesperson realizing their pitch isn't resonating and changing their approach mid-conversation.
This type of reflection is vital in dynamic or unpredictable situations where delayed analysis isn't feasible. It allows for agility and responsiveness.
Reflection-on-Action: Learning for Future Actions
The purpose of reflection-on-action is to step back and systematically review an experience. This retrospective analysis allows for deeper learning, understanding underlying reasons, identifying patterns, and planning how to act differently or more effectively in the future.
- Steps often involved:
- Recalling the experience.
- Analyzing feelings and thoughts during the experience.
- Evaluating the outcomes.
- Making sense of what happened.
- Identifying lessons learned.
- Planning how to use the learning in the future.
- Examples:
- A project team reviewing a completed project to understand what went well and what could be improved for the next one.
- An athlete analyzing their performance after a game to identify areas for training focus.
- A therapist reflecting on a session with a client to understand the dynamics and plan future interventions.
Reflection-on-action builds a knowledge base derived from experience, informing professional growth and strategic planning.
Combining Both for Effective Practice
While distinct, both types of reflection are essential for continuous learning and skilled practice. Effective professionals often move fluidly between reflecting in action to handle immediate challenges and reflecting on action to refine their overall skills and knowledge.
