the push and pull of reflection in workplace learning

© MIRROR Project - Co-Funded by EU IST FP7 – www.mirror-project.eu

The Push and Pull of Reflectionin Workplace LearningDesigning to Support Transitions Between Individual, Collaborative and Organisational Learning

Michael Prilla1, Viktoria Pammer2, Silke Balzert3

1Ruhr University of Bochum, Information and Technology Management2KNOW-Center Graz3DFKI Saarbrücken


Reflective Learning is a mechanism to ... Background

… learn from experience: Core mechanism of self-regulated learning (at work)

... go back to experiences / envision future experiences

... critically examine and evaluate experiences▪ Not a „quick and dirty“ assessment of a situation! The

keyword is „critically“…

... derive „knowledge“ for future activities▪ Knowledge is defined loosely here: New perspective, new

understanding, plan to act differently in the future


Technology supporting Reflective Learning Why Reflection is a Topic for TEL

Generic tools▪ Shared Whiteboards,

communication tools

Specific tools, general purpose▪ Diaries / Portfolios▪ Context Capturing, e.g. SenseCam

Specific tools for specific purpose(s)


Reflective Learning and TechnologyMissing Link

(Technology) Support for reflective learning exists

but learning tends to be viewed on one level only (individual, collaborative, organisational)

and by different communities/disciplines.

Missing Link: Transition between Levels of Reflection


Processes and Outcomes of Reflection Background

▪ Process of Reflection: Cognitive or Social▪ Process of reflection happens individually or in groups▪ Individuals and groups may reflect ‘on behalf of the organization’ if given

proper information

▪ Outcomes of Reflection: What is being learned?▪ Individual: Learning about individual work, e.g. how to do a presentation▪ Group / Collaborative: Learning about collaborative work, e.g.

coordination▪ Organisation: Learning about organisational tasks / artefacts, e.g. business

processes / standard presentations


Integration of Reflection LevelsGoals

Individual, collaborative and organisational learning and reflection are intertwined

Research questions:▪ How does knowledge from reflection reach organisational levels

by means of individual and collaborative reflection?▪ How can reflection apps / tools support this?

Process / Outcome Individual Group Organisation

Individual

Group


User Studies, a Model and Design Implications

▪ Interviews▪ Focus groups▪ Observationsin three organisations led to

▪ A model of ICO transitions, and to an identification of lost learning opportunities

▪ Design implications, illustrated by a (not yet tested) application


User Studies, a Model and Design

Reflection in healthcaree.g. emergency handling

Reflection of salespresentations / consultinge.g. losing pitches


The Push and Pull of ReflectionReflection on different Levels

Work related experiences and observations

Step 1: Trigger for reflection

Step 2: Individual or collaborative

reflection coll

ind

coll ind

coll

Example: Reflection on Sales PresentationStep 1: Missing answer in presentation for client: How to connect tools with SAP infrastructure? Step 2: Individual reflection on how to cope with specific problem / such situations in general.Follow-up: Reflection in office, colleagues reflect, reflection in sales meeting,…


The Push and Pull of Reflection A model of Reflection on different levels



Step 2: Recursive reflection

Individual and Collaborative Reflection (may) happen recursivelyMultiple iterations before outcomes can be applied

Challenge: How to implement outcomesApplication of knowledge needs responsibility, competencies, power

Example: Reflection on Sales PresentationOutcome: Reference to SAP integration in standard slides.Application: Management


The Push and Pull of Reflection: AS IS A model of Reflection on different levels

Implementing outcomes

Step 3a: Group or individual is able (motivated, competent enough, has the power, …) to implement the outcome

Step 3b: Third party (expert, management, …) needs to become aware of outcome

Example: Reflection on Sales PresentationOutcome: Better Reference to SAP integration.Application: Consultants (verbal explication)

Marketing (new slide)




Step 3a:Application of outcomes

by individual / group

Step 3b:Application of outcomes

by third party


Lost Learning OpportunitiesWhat if proposals are not heard? If third party cannot be identified?

Typical break points:▪ Continuing reflection:

Involving someone who can help apply insights in reflection (iterative Step 2)

▪ Applying outcomes: Communicating insights to someone who can apply insights (Step 3b)


The Push and Pull of Reflection: TO-BE Transferring outcomes to the organisation

Two mechanisms

(Communicational) PushIndividual / group pushes implementation of outcomes to the organisational level

(Third Party) PullThird party interested in pulling together outcomes from individuals / groups and reflecting ‘on behalf the organisation’



Communicational Push:Triggered by individual / group; communicated to / inclusion of

next level

Third Party Pull:Triggered by third party

(management, expert, …)


Push: Marketing included in (final) reflection session Pull: Group leaves contextualized proposal, marketing gets notified


Reflection levels in practice: DoWeKnowSupport for ICO Transitions: Improving sales presentations

Slide repository enhanced by reflection processes / features:Learn from reflecting experiences from presentations


Reflection levels in practice: DoWeKnowThe Pull-Mechanism


Reflection levels in practice: DoWeKnowThe Push-Mechanism


OutlookExtending the model

▪ Interrelation of reflection processes▪ Triggers for individual and collaborative reflection▪ Motivation to take part / share insights

▪ Supporting iterative / recursive reflection▪ Promote topics across individual, groups, departments, …▪ Sustaining context(s) between reflection sessions

▪ Application for design▪ Guiding ICO transitions in reflection tools▪ Embedding / Aligning ICO (in)to organisational procedures


Thanks for your attention.Any questions?

Michael Prilla, [email protected], www.imtm-iaw.rub.de

Viktoria Pammer, [email protected], www.know-center.at

@MirrorIP, www.mirror-project.eu