Critical Thinking and Reflective

Module Code:

HSC4001-20

Module Title:

Critical Thinking and Reflective Practice (20 credits)

Assignment:

S1

Word Count:

2400 words

Contribution to Module Mark:

60%

Assessment outline (from the Module specification):

Critical Reflective Blog

Deadline

4^thMay 2025

Before 5 pm

Learning outcome assessed:

LO1:Select and apply appropriate theories and models of reflection to problem solve in a health and social care setting.

LO3: Apply critical thinking and writing skills to a collective online blog

Assessment Brief

S1: Critical Reflective Blog

There is a journey towards becoming a thoughtful practitioner, through a chain of interdependent steps, which are gradually meant to develop our approach at ethically questioning ourselves, our practice as well as others around us. In this introductory journey, you will begin to collaboratively develop your reflective capability, your critical thinking as well as your ability to express these in writing.

Four Steps:

1)A general exploration(during weeks 1 and 2):

-You will be asked to answer form that will invite you reflect on matters, issues, dilemmas related to your practice, preferably from a health and social care setting, but also related to who you are as a person (week 1);

-Your tutor will analyse your answers and form groups of maximum four students around an emergent reflective theme (to be revealed in week 2);

2)The technical set-up of a public blog (by the end of week 2):

-Following a lecture on what is and how to set-up a blog (on Blogger and linked to your BSU email account), students -in groups- will be asked to develop their own group blog;

-Following a unique procedure (to be outlined by the lecturer), students will have to collectively decide (over a 30 min discussion) on an appropriate name for the blog, who will technically start the blog and invite others as authors on it, and who will look after choosing the layout and the theme of the blog;

-Sending the link of the blog to the lecturer (week 2 it can be work in progress);

3)The development of a three-part reflective journal (between week 3 and the end of week 7):

Each student will have to gradually post (in three parts) their reflective journals on their groups blogs in particularly created sections (for each student) and also read their colleagues posts and provide comments/ feedback on each of these.

-Week 4 1^streflective entryaround theories and models of reflection (around 500-700 words);

-Week 5 2^ndreflective entryaround the value and application of critical thinking in practice (around 500-700 words);

-Week 7 3^rdreflective entryaround using reflection and critical thinking to address health and social care dilemmas and solve problems (around 500-700 words).

4)Bring it all together (Week 9 Blog and FSB connect/ Turnitin) 2400 words:

You will now have to bring it all together in a Final Reflective Journal blog entry (in a specific section for all students), read each others work and comment on it. All these efforts will be noted and taken into account when deciding the final mark.

Your Final Reflective Journal blog entry will also have to be individually submitted on Minerva/ Turnitin.

When developing your Final Reflective Journal blog entry, you will need to:

a)take into account the feedback and comments provided by your colleagues on each part you submitted in the previous weeks;

b)re-arrange your work to tell one story (one central argument) of self-inquiry, which will include aspects of reflection around professional and/or personal dilemmas as well as around solving these.

* The Critical Reflective Blog (S2) will be marked according to the following criteria; please also consult the marking criteria from Table below:

-Knowledge and Understanding (30%) around reflective practice and the value of critical thinking.

-Online Blog Presentation and Writing skills coherent visual appearance, structure, how clear is content expressed in collaboration with group members;(20%), at an individual as well as collaborative level.

-Ability to reflect and critically engage with own practical understanding from the Health and Social Care Practice (30%) need to think about solving problems.

-Referencing: Accuracy and appropriateness of referencing throughout (20%) your individual presentation.

Elements of Criteria

Fail 0-39

Poor Quality

D. 40-49

Satisfactory Quality (Low Pass)

C. 50-59

Sound Quality

(High Pass)

B. 60-69

Good quality

(Low Merit)

A. 70-79

Excellent quality

(High Merit)

A. 80-100

Outstanding quality

(Distinction`)

Knowledge and Understanding

30%

Key concepts are misunderstood

Explanations are confusing

The work does not cover any relevant knowledge or skills around reflective practice and the value of critical thinking.

Mostly adequate explanations and coverage of the key questions. Some minor misunderstandings or confusing explanations.

Good understanding of the literature read.

Clearly explains the concepts around reflective practice and the value of critical thinking.

Very good understanding of the literature read.

Excellent grasp of all the concepts reflective practice and the value of critical thinking.

Excellent understanding of the literature read.

Outstanding engagement with main concepts, and beyond, around reflective practice and the value of critical thinking. Inspirational level of engagement of complex ideas and arguments.

Online Blog Presentation and Writing skills coherent visual appearance, structure, how clear is content expressed in collaboration with group members.

20%

The blog presentation and writing are poorly organised. The structure is confusing, and the blog lacks a coherent visual identity and presence.

The blog presentation and writing are fairly clear; however, the flow and visual identity of the blog are quite poor and incoherent.

The blog presentation and writing are clear and well managed, also at a visual level.

The blog presentation and writing are very clear. Care and thought have gone into the structure and feedback provided to others, as well as in developing a coherent visual identity for the blog.

The blog presentation and writing are of an excellent standard - very clearly and professionally put together.

Outstanding integration between the collaborative content and its visual communication, with a coherent identity throughout the blog.

Ability to reflect and critically engage with own practical understanding from the Health and Social Care Practice need to think about solving problems.

30%

No reflective or critical engagement for example all authors ideas and opinions are taken at face value and are simply described.

Some attempts at reflective or critical engagement, although sometimes the arguments may be unclear.

Some of these engagements are especially disconnected from own professional experience.

Clear evidence of reflective or critical engagement in selecting, ordering and analysing content and tries to construct a sound argument.

There is a flow to the work and discussion of the key theories and models of reflection and critical thinking, in the context of own professional practice.

There is some excellent evidence of the ability to sustain an argument based on reflective or critical engagement with own practice.

There is an outstanding evidence of the ability to sustain an argument based on reflective or critical engagement with own practice.

Referencing:

Accuracy and appropriateness of referencing throughout

20%

Major errors in referencing.

A number of errors in referencing.

Referencing is mostly accurate, assists arguments.

Referencing is very accurate and supports text well.

Referencing is very accurate and is skilfully and appropriately used.

Flawless referencing.