How to Engage in Critical Self Assessment Introduction The first half of the module, Developing the Professional, has introduced you to a variety of meta-cognitive tools to aid you in critically assessing your personal and professional self. Meta- cognitive tools, concepts and theories provide with “lenses” that enable to you view and understand yourself in a variety of ways. The purpose of the Reflective Essay assignment is to use these meta-cognitive tools, and others, to complete a comprehensive assessment of your professional self. A critical assessment goes beyond mere description. It uses theories, concepts and meta-cognitive tools to evaluate and analyze. The elements within these constructs are then used in your written work as frameworks for describing where you are, where you want or need to be in the future and how you will get there. For example, you may know that you are impatient with others. The tools from the module materials have given you “lenses” to examine this statement so that you know “Why.” The “Shape” assignment may indicate that your impatience is related to your personality. If you are a Square, you now know that you like structure and to work alone. Professional Dispositions has you examine the statement through an additional set of elements so show possible reasons “Why” the first statement is true. Each tool reveals an additional component to help you understand your first descriptive statement. Critical self reflection is not difficult once you have the tools and understand the process. This document will provide you with some essentials that will help you engage in critical self assessment and prepare your Reflective Essay. Tips for Completing the Reflective Essay Engage in Retrospection: Using the meta-cognitive tools from the module materials, what have you already learned/discovered about yourself? What are some of the “Whys” that you have discovered? How prepared are you now to achieve your future professional goals? What do the tools reveal about what you need to do to get there? Explore additional theories, concepts and tools that can assist you in the critical assessment process. You may want to explore: Myers-Briggs, Kolb, Bloom, Belbin, Tuckman, Force Field Analysis, SWOT Analysis, etc. What do these tools reveal about your and how you need to develop as a professional? Begin drafting your essay.  Actively use the tools and theoretical material in your essay to enable you to engage in Masterly reflection. Apply the theory. You do not need to critique the theory, concepts and tools.  Cover key areas using the theories, concepts and tools. You should aim for depth, not breadth. In other words, using a few concepts well in your analysis is better than using many concepts superficially. Use those tools that reveal the most about you. These may differ from those used by a classmate. When considering which theories and tools to use, you may want to ask the following questions: o How well does the theory/tool help to explain your development as a professional? o Is there another point of view that could be explored? o Are there alternative interpretations to consider? o Are there other theorists who see this issue from another perspective which may be worth exploring? o Which tools/theories provide the most insight into where I am now, where I want to be and how I will get there? Reflective Essay - Your Essay should include: Beginning (Introduction); Middle (Reflection using theories/tools); End (Conclusions) Sub-headings to aid organizational structure Diagrams/charts/tables to enhance your narrative References – internal citations and a reference list – using Harvard Referencing System Appendices – to provide any illustrative evidence to support your narrative not introduce new material