Abstract
This exploratory study examined reflective practice among a class of students studying a ‘communities and addictions’ course as part of the undergraduate health science degree. Most reflective practice publications are focused on medical or teachers’ training rather than undergraduates in general. This is surprising given that reflective practice is an impetus to deeper learning. The students were required to write a 500 word reflective piece after writing essays on the disease model and a public health approach to problem gambling, substance use, tobacco use, or eating disorders. This innovative study demonstrated that reflective practice can help the students learn on a deeper level both academically and personally. In particular, reflective practice should become compulsory for graduates entering the health sectors as they will cross paths with those suffering from addictions. Themes emerging from the reflective writing were discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
This particular quote demonstrates how a student misinterpreted the information in the lecture. This is addressed in discussion section.
References
Alcoholics Anonymous. (1973). Twelve steps and twelve traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.
Annual report. (2009). Available at http://www.auckland.ac.nz.
Astin, A. W., Astin, H. S., Lindholm, J. A., Bryant, A. N., Szelenyi, K., & Calderones, S. (2003). Spiritual life of college students: A national study of college students’ search for meaning and purpose: Executive summary. USA: UCLA. Available at: www.spirituality.ucla.edu/publications_reports/index.html.
Atkins, S., & Murphy, K. (1993). Reflection: a review of the literature. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 18, 1188–1192.
Belensky, M. F., Clinchy, B. M., Goldberg, N. R., & Tarule, J. M. (1986). Women’s ways of knowing: The development of self, voice, and Mind. New York: Mind. Basic Books.
Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1985). Reflection turning experience into learning Kegan. Page: London.
Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1996). Promoting reflective learning model. In R. Edwards, A. Hanson & P. Raggatt (Eds.), Boundaries of adult learning. New York: Routledge.
Bourner, T. (2003). Assessing reflective learning. Education and Training, 45(5), 267–272.
Boyd, E. M., & Fales, A. W. (1983). Reflective learning: key to learning from experience. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 23(2), 99–117.
Earle, S. (2007). Theory and research in promoting public health. California: Sage.
Entwistle, N., & Ramsden, P. (1983). Understanding student learning. London: Croom Helm.
Friere, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. London: Penquin.
Leung, D. Y. P., & Kember, D. (2003). The relationship between approaches to learning and reflection upon practice. Educational Psychology, 23(1), 61–71.
Miller, W. R. (2000). Integrating spirituality into treatment. Washington: American Psychological Association.
Miller, W. R., & Thoresen, W. C. (2000). Spirituality and health. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment (pp. 3–18). Washington: American Psychological Association.
Prawat, R. S. (1991). Conversation with self and conversations with settings: a framework for thinking about teacher empowerment. American Educational Research Journal, 28, 737–757.
Robinson, G., Warren, H., Samu, K., Wheeler, A., Matangi-Karsten, H., & Agnew, F. (2006). Pacific healthcare workers and their treatment interventions for Pacific clients with alcohol and drug issues in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1228), 1–11.
Schon, D. (1991). The reflective practitioner (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Williams, D., & Coles, L. (2007). Educational research. Teachers’ approaches to finding and using research evidence: an information literacy perspective. Educational Research, 49(2), 185–206.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shepherd, R. If These Walls Could Talk: Reflective Practice in Addiction Studies Among Undergraduates in New Zealand. Int J Ment Health Addiction 8, 583–594 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-009-9235-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-009-9235-z