Shared Online Critical Reflection and Discussion (SOCRAD)
This miniproject is now complete.
Higher Education aims to develop students' ability to become 'critical reflective thinkers'. This typically private matter ignores the known benefits of collaboration. Thus, little is known about the learning value of collaborative reflection. This project shares and extends distinct innovative reflective techniques at two universities. At Southampton Solent University, reflective practice is focused on learning, structured in an adaptable spreadsheet via the VLE. At Bournemouth University, the VLE Discussion Board facilitates asynchronous online discussions during which students are encouraged to reflect. Hence, this project will enable users to learn from others' as well as their own reflections. This is a novel approach in that (i) reflective practice is situated in learning communities, and (ii) most cross-University projects do not involve interactions between students themselves.
A
final report from this project is available.
Funding: £5,960.00
Start Date: February 2010
Contact: Carolyn Mair 
, Department of Psychology,
Southampton Solent University,
East Park Terrace,
Southampton,
SO14 0YN