Reflective Learning: An essential tool for the self-development of health and safety practitioners
Authors: Teresa Budworth and Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashemi
The importance of continuing professional development (CPD) cannot be underestimated; it is a career-long obligation for practising health and safety professionals, yet many of us, at times, tussle with finding fresh and insightful ways of expanding our knowledge or creating opportunities for new experiences.
As CPD is mandated by professional organisations, it can therefore often be deemed as a bit of a chore having to keep it updated in order to maintain membership with a particular association – but it should be engaging and it should be fun.
If you are feeling somewhat uninspired or updating your development plan is in need of a revamp, then Reflective Learning might be just the tonic you need to get re-energised.
Divided into seven chapters, this book discusses the different types of reflective learning as well as how it can be employed. It also addresses its importance and relevance using some real-life examples and case studies.
With references to over 50 different pieces of research, the authors have clearly done their homework, but the downside to that, for me at least, is that there is a bit too much theory. The later chapters, which explore methods of reflective learning and various styles are more practical and will enthuse. I also like the way the book uses examples of how to write up entries of CPD – this is something that I think most safety practitioners will find beneficial.
In true form the authors then reflect on their experiences of writing the book; I enjoyed the natural style that these personal accounts were written in – it would have been good to have seen more.
In order to link your CPD to useful outcomes, you need to be asking yourself, ‘What did I get out of this?’ Well, on reflection, this book will certainly aid my reflective practice and has provided me with some interesting new ideas.
Reflective Learning: An essential tool for the self-development of health and safety practitioners by Teresa Budworth and Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashemi is available from Routledge for £35.00.
Where can the book be purchased?
Hi Adam, it’s available from Routledge publishers.
And on Amazon
Simon, thanks for the review. I’m glad you found the book thought provoking. I love that your review was posted on Christmas Eve. Waddah and I finished the book on Christmas Eve one year earlier, which was also the 6th Birthday of his twins. Teresa