Becoming a Reflective Communication Design Student: Perceptions and Values of Reflection as a Learning Tool Communities

Chuah Chin Kah Peter (2016)

This study examines the perceptions of a learning journal as a tool to develop students’ critical and reflective thinking of the recent graduates of the undergraduate communication design programme at a local university in Hong Kong. Utilising the findings from interviews, this study reveals several preconceptions and misconceptions about reflection and critical thinking, especially at the early stage of undergraduate education. The result suggests that critical reviews are harder to achieve due to the insufficient knowledge and skills results. It is recommended that reflection should be integrated into the entire curriculum as one of the major assessment components and should be formally introduced at the early stage of undergraduate study. In addition, appropriate scaffolding strategies could be introduced over time to ensure that students consistently receive guidance and feedback as part of their learning and development.