Experiential Knowledge
Double-loop reflective practice as an approach to understanding knowledge and experience
John Gribbin, Mersha Aftab, Robert Young, Sumin Park
Northumbria University (4)
john.gribbin@northumbria.ac.uk
Keywords: reflection, design knowledge, design experience, repertory grids
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to consider the way in which reflective practice can assist practitioners in better understanding their individual knowledge and experience. Transitioning from a design novice to a design expert is described as a vague process, in which reflective practice can offer a level of understanding that provides an important insight into professional development within design. Through a comparison of two methods of reflection and analysis of reflective practice data, it is argued that repertory grid interviews have the potential to be a catalyst for double- loop learning within individuals; providing people with a platform to reflect on their beliefs and values in addition to their approach towards problem solving. This argument is based on the ability of repertory grids to uncover some of the implicit knowledge developed by designers, which is a distinct advantage to alternative methods of reflection and which is necessary to improve professional practice understanding and learning.
This paper is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.
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Cite this paper: Gribbin, J., Aftab, M., Young, R., Park, S. (2016). Double-loop Reflective Practice as an Approach to Understanding Knowledge and Experience. Proceedings of DRS 2016, Design Research Society 50th Anniversary Conference. Brighton, UK, 27–30 June 2016.
This paper will be presented at DRS2016, find it in the conference programme