EDEXCEL LEVEL 3 BTEC FOUNDATION DIPLOMA in ART and DESIGN
SKILLS SHEET
Reflective Practice 1
Reflection: reconsideration, idea rising from the mind, thoughtful, comment
Analysis: examine critically
Evaluation: to find or judge the value of something
WHERE?
You should record your Reflective Practice in your Studio Research Journal (SRJ). Be concise, use bullet points when analysing and evaluating the value of:
  • An idea
  • An influence
  • A process
  • A material
  • A technique
REMEMBER it is NOT a “to do” list, OR a personal diary.
HOW?
Start by examining with care what you have made/created. Focus your thoughts and writing upon the strengths and weaknesses apparent in the work and consider the following:
  • Ideas and concepts —how have they been challenged, changed or adapted?
  • Research —how has this informed the development of your ideas? Is the research appropriate? Do you need more?
  • Media and methods explored —how effectively have these worked in relation to the ideas?
  • Development — have you made changes? Why?
  • Outcomes —what is good about WHAT you’ve made/created? What is less than good or weak? What have you learnt? How has the earlier work (ideas, processes, materials etc) informed your practice?
You will find it helpful to discuss these issues/factors with colleagues when identifying the courses of action you propose to take. How do others respond to your ideas and work? What suggestions do they have for further improvements/development? How valid are their criticisms?
WHEN?
Your Reflective Practice MUST be on-going throughout all of your project work during the Exploratory, Pathway and Confirmatory Stages. You will find it especially useful either prior to or immediately following a group critique.
You should aim to record any/all peer group discussions and your own views in terms of the following contexts:
  • Analytical (a detailed examination of your work and practice)
  • Evaluative about your work/ideas etc (what worked and why?)
  • Projective (define ways that you can adapt and change)
You can do this by writing in your SRJ about:
  • What you are making, seeing, feeling and dreaming
  • How other people respond to you, your ideas and your work
  • What associations and links you can identify between different projects you are working on
  • How to test different ideas, processes, materials etc
  • The successes and failures of your ideas and/or practice
Some typical sources might include:
  • Brief accounts of events that you are currently experiencing, positive or negative
  • Brief accounts of others opinions and their arguments to justify
  • Abstract words that offer links between alternative subjects, areas, ideas etc
Action plans that offer alternative suggestions to develop/expand on your ideas/practice

Group critiques occur throughout all Stages of the course. They usually involve a whole group discussion between members of a Tutor Group and/or Specialist Group concerning the work of another member of the group. They are considered normal studio practice at university and may contribute to students achieving a higher grade. For more details speak to your Personal or Specialist Tutor.