{"id":611,"date":"2025-09-01T14:47:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T14:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/assessment-design-studio\/creative-professional-practice-2\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T01:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T01:52:38","slug":"reflexive-essay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/assessment-design-studio\/reflexive-essay\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflexive Essay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflexive essays are written assessments where students explore their evolving understanding of a unit&#8217;s concepts and theories through critical first-person academic reflection, documenting how their thinking, perspectives and attitudes have developed throughout their learning journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lane 2: Non-secure assessment&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supported by both in-person and online teaching modes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transforms traditional essay writing by empowering students to synthesise personal voice and academic discourse, creating authentic learning connections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creates accessible academic communication through personal voice while maintaining scholarly rigor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourages deep reflection, prompting students to articulate connections between unit knowledge, personal growth, and broader social contexts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflexive structure highlights the evolving nature of learning and focuses on the knowledge development journey rather than fixed conclusions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotes inclusive learning by acknowledging diverse student backgrounds and perspectives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develops AI literacy alongside reflexive skills, encouraging students to reflect on how AI interactions influence their evolving understanding&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How it works<\/h3>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"accordion\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Accordion content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n                \n\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Set-up-\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Set-up-\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Set-up-\">Set-up <\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Set-up-\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ul>\n<li>Educators provide clear, comprehensive information on reflexive writing techniques and the distinction between reflexive and reflective approaches<\/li>\n<li>Students receive exemplars demonstrating effective reflexive writing across different disciplines<\/li>\n<li>Educators establish clear guidelines for respectful engagement with sensitive topics<\/li>\n<li>Students choose an issue, claim, or topic to focus on and engage with throughout their essay<\/li>\n<li>Educators clarify that students may use AI tools as mechanisms to explore concepts or provide formative feedback on their reflexive approaches<\/li>\n<li>Educators also highlight that students may have different access to AI tools. Marking for this assessment will be focused on critical thinking, personal insight, and reflexive analysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Progression\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Progression\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Progression\">Progression<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Progression\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ul>\n<li>Students engage with unit concepts during classes and independent study, documenting their evolving understanding through a personal lens<\/li>\n<li>Students are encouraged (though not required) to use AI to generate initial questions about their chosen topic, and asked to consider the potential biases of outputs<\/li>\n<li>Students maintain learning journals or notes tracking how their thinking changes over time<\/li>\n<li>Students connect their evolving understanding with real-life applications and cultural contexts, applying their knowledge to contemporary developments<\/li>\n<li>Regular check-ins during class time help verify understanding and deepen learning opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Formative feedback sessions help students distinguish between personal opinion and reflexive academic analysis<\/li>\n<li>Students may experiment with AI for academic language refinement and consider how tools have shaped their own scholarly voice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Submission\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Submission\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Submission\">Submission<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Submission\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ul>\n<li>Students submit written reflexive essays demonstrating authentic engagement with their chosen issue, topic, or claim across their learning journey<\/li>\n<li>Essays should clearly show the evolution of thinking rather than static conclusions<\/li>\n<li>Submissions include evidence of ongoing reflection and critical engagement with course materials<\/li>\n<li>Students also submit a statement detailing how AI tools were used, what was helpful\/limiting, and their overall takeaways on how AI shaped their learning journey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        \n<\/mimas-block>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Curtin snapshot&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n    <mimas-block \n        block-name=\"articles\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"articles content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\"\n        data-bg=\"gray\">\n\n        \n\n                    <div class=\"article\">\n                                                                \n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29-150x150.png\"\n                     alt=\"Dr Liam Lynch\"\n                     srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29-500x370.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29-480x240.png 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-29.png 500w\"\n                     sizes=\"(min-width: 2560px) 2560px, (min-width: 1920px) 1920px, (min-width: 1440px) 1440px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n                <article class=\"article__content\">\n                                            <mimas-eyebrow>Case Study <\/mimas-eyebrow>\n                    \n                                            <h2 class=\"h3\">Dr Liam Lynch<\/h2>\n                    \n                                            <p><p>\u201c<span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">Reflexive<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">academic <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">learning<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">is a process whereby <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">students learn about scholarly concepts in the context <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">of their lived experience<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">; a form of learning where knowledge of the world comes together with self-knowledge.<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">R<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">eflexive writing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">, then, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">allow<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\"> students to see themselves as knowledge creator<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">s <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">as <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">they<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">connect<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\"> academic concepts to their own experiences and evolving understanding<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">I have found that r<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">eflexive wri<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">tten<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">assessments provide a platform for students to express the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">mselves as cultural researchers and as cultural members in the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">i<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\">r unique<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216965106 BCX0\"> scholarly voice<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW197374470 BCX0\">.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW129068146 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW129068146 BCX0\">Centre for Aboriginal Studies<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW129068146 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n                    \n                                \n                        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/mimas-block>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liam&#8217;s example assessment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About my unit:<\/strong> Centre for Aboriginal Studies | Under 50 students | Hybrid | Individual work&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I designed the reflexive assessment as a way for students to critically explore complex questions around Australian identity and belonging. Rather than asking students to take a definitive stance, the reflexive approach allows them to honestly engage with challenging concepts like settler colonialism, the ethics of memory, and two-way thinking philosophy from their own positionality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students document their understanding and development throughout the semester, paying attention to <strong>how<\/strong> these concepts have influenced their worldview and knowledge. This is particularly effective because it acknowledges that students come from diverse backgrounds, that they are cultural researchers and cultural participants, and may have different starting points for engaging with Aboriginal perspectives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The assessment requires students to trace their learning journey, showing how their thinking has evolved rather than presenting a fixed argument. For example, a student might begin by documenting their initial understanding of reconciliation in the settler colonial context, then show how engaging with Aboriginal scholars and community voices has deepened or challenged that understanding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Effective engagement with the reflexive assessment requires students to be honest about their learning process, including moments of confusion, resistance, or revelation. This creates space for students to write in their own scholarly voice and encourages more genuine engagement with complex cultural concepts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My advice<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An effective reflexive essay requires students to properly understand what we mean when we talk about reflexivity versus reflection. Students often struggle initially with this distinction, so I recommend emphasising that reflexive writing examines how knowledge is constructed and how their position influences their understanding, while reflective writing simply describes experiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I provide clear guidelines about respectful engagement, especially when dealing with cultural content. Students need to understand that reflexive writing is an academic endeavour where they represent their lived experiences through their scholarly voice. I also recommend offering multiple check-in opportunities, as this type of writing can be initially triggering.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suggested marking criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"accordion\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Accordion content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n                \n\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Reflexive-writing-approach-(25%)\u202f\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Reflexive-writing-approach-(25%)\u202f\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Reflexive-writing-approach-(25%)\u202f\">Reflexive writing approach (25%)\u202f<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Reflexive-writing-approach-(25%)\u202f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><span class=\"EOP SCXW229868223 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\">Writing <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\">demonstrates<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\"> clear understanding of reflexive <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\">methodology<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49326794 BCX8\">, showing how the writer&#8217;s position and experiences influence their knowledge construction. Personal examples are relevant, detailed, and effectively integrated to illuminate academic concepts rather than replace them.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW49326794 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Engagement-with-course-concepts-(25%)\u202f\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Engagement-with-course-concepts-(25%)\u202f\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Engagement-with-course-concepts-(25%)\u202f\">Engagement with course concepts (25%)\u202f<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Engagement-with-course-concepts-(25%)\u202f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW49566291 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49566291 BCX0\">Excellent conceptual engagement with detailed exploration of how understanding has evolved. Shows genuine grappling with complex ideas and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49566291 BCX0\">demonstrates<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW49566291 BCX0\"> growth in sophistication of thinking throughout the learning journey.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW49566291 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Critical-analysis-and-development-(25%)\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Critical-analysis-and-development-(25%)\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Critical-analysis-and-development-(25%)\">Critical analysis and development (25%)<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Critical-analysis-and-development-(25%)\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW74735428 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW74735428 BCX0\">Exceptional demonstration of how perspectives have shifted or deepened. Shows honest engagement with challenging moments in learning and articulates insights gained through the reflexive process.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW74735428 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Academic-integration-and-context-(15%)\u202f\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Academic-integration-and-context-(15%)\u202f\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Academic-integration-and-context-(15%)\u202f\">Academic integration and context (15%)\u202f<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Academic-integration-and-context-(15%)\u202f\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW182096693 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW182096693 BCX0\">Effectively <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW182096693 BCX0\">integrates<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW182096693 BCX0\"> scholarly sources to support reflexive analysis. Demonstrates understanding of broader contexts and implications while <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW182096693 BCX0\">maintaining<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW182096693 BCX0\"> authentic personal voice.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW182096693 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Communication-and-scholarly-voice-(10%)\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Communication-and-scholarly-voice-(10%)\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Communication-and-scholarly-voice-(10%)\">Communication and scholarly voice (10%)<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Communication-and-scholarly-voice-(10%)\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\">Writing <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\">maintains<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW16521409 BCX0\">appropriate<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\"> academic<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\"> tone while incorporating <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW16521409 BCX0\">first-<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16521409 BCX0\">person reflexive approach. Clear organisation shows the evolution of thinking. Proper referencing and acknowledgment of sources.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW16521409 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        \n<\/mimas-block>\n\n\n<p>Note: Marking criteria and weighting are suggested guidelines. Specific descriptions should be adapted to relevant content and learning objectives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Reflexive essays are written assessments where students explore their evolving understanding of a unit&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":161,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-611","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/611\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/assessment2030\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}