Critical Reflective Practice as a means to Encourage Critical Thinking and Strenghten Confidence and self-efficacy of Undergraduate business Students
Kimberley, Anna (2019)
Kimberley, Anna
International Journal of Arts and Sciences
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020072747619
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020072747619
Tiivistelmä
The emergence of a reflective paradigm in higher education in the last two decades, as well as the need to develop oral communication skills and self-efficacy have been emphasized as skills whose development should be included business school curricula. The ability to critically reflect has been identified as a crucial part of employability. This calls for developing pedagogical approaches that will stimulate students’ critical thinking skills, encourage self-review as well as convey practice realities.
A pedagogical approach was created and incorporated into one semester International Business Communication course taught to undergraduate international business students. It aimed at developing reflexivity and strengthening confidence and self-efficacy. It was applied in three activities: (1) introducing the students to the concept of reflexivity (reflecting on reflection), (2) writing reflectively about own cultural identity (reflection in action), (3) story writing and storytelling (reflecting on action).
The methodological approach used was qualitative interpretation, and the method applied was narrative analysis of the data generated by reflective writing created by the students.
The findings showed that reflexivity was identified as a new concept, both necessary and helpful in self-development. Reflecting on one’s own cultural identity created different types of awareness, which contributed to developing deeper knowledge about one’s own cultural identity. Reflecting on story writing and storytelling showed the following learning benefits: discovering creative potential, as well as developing confidence in dealing with new, unexpected and challenging situations. Moreover, the following additional learning benefits were identified: enhanced openness towards the immediate environment, improved understanding of otherness, and the applicability of the above skills for business professionals. Ultimately, reflexivity proved to be an effective means in strengthening confidence and self-efficacy
A pedagogical approach was created and incorporated into one semester International Business Communication course taught to undergraduate international business students. It aimed at developing reflexivity and strengthening confidence and self-efficacy. It was applied in three activities: (1) introducing the students to the concept of reflexivity (reflecting on reflection), (2) writing reflectively about own cultural identity (reflection in action), (3) story writing and storytelling (reflecting on action).
The methodological approach used was qualitative interpretation, and the method applied was narrative analysis of the data generated by reflective writing created by the students.
The findings showed that reflexivity was identified as a new concept, both necessary and helpful in self-development. Reflecting on one’s own cultural identity created different types of awareness, which contributed to developing deeper knowledge about one’s own cultural identity. Reflecting on story writing and storytelling showed the following learning benefits: discovering creative potential, as well as developing confidence in dealing with new, unexpected and challenging situations. Moreover, the following additional learning benefits were identified: enhanced openness towards the immediate environment, improved understanding of otherness, and the applicability of the above skills for business professionals. Ultimately, reflexivity proved to be an effective means in strengthening confidence and self-efficacy