Reflecting on practice allows us to develop as workers, and to work for the best interests of clients and the community. Recording our work is a key element here - as is exploring practice with others. As a team we may talk about what happened in a session, as individuals we may sit down with a supervisor or colleague and examine what happened and our feelings about it. Successful practice depends on there being a good mix of these ways of working. A measure of confidence in doing them is essential for all informal educators.
None are optional extras because each feeds off the other.
The figure tries to show how these come together. Education Now Books, pages 95-96. Tony Jeffs and Mark K. Smith First published November 1999.