Computer-supported reflective learning: how apps can foster reflection at work

Software Tools for Supporting Reflection in Design Thinking Projects

“…Reflection has been endorsed as a practical approach in different sectors such as education, cooperative work, problem-solving, design and engineering, and learning (e.g., [15], [26], [27]). Reflective thinking is especially important when a team has to deal with unsolved complex problems [18] or confused and uncertain situations [28], which both apply to the context of design thinking projects.…”

“…Reflection is a part of individual and cooperative work aiming at guiding decision-making [29]. As reflection within a team is beneficial, for instance, to share experiences from different team members, learn from others, provide feedback, and develop solutions that go beyond ideas of single team members (i.e., crossboundary) [15], [18], collaboration plays an essential role. Hence, design thinking teams need to enable different perspectives to be taken, knowledge and experiences to be disclosed, and communication to be made.…”

“…Software supported reflection. To overcome these shortcomings, software support can be applied which, for instance, facilitates actions such as sharing data, reflecting over a period of time, motivating activities, merging and linking experiences, obtaining feedback [19], [35], as well as remembering past situations, documenting outcomes [15].…”

“…In doing this, they make use of their own experiences (e.g., in the form of previous prototypes and solutions) and seek to adapt them to the current situation. As a result, conclusions to plan actions for future efforts are derived [15]. Moreover, conscious reflection on the problem framing and the emerging ensemble allows the research process to be adjusted based on lessons learned [16].…”

“…While reflection is primarily seen as an individual activity, some authors emphasize the strong social dimension [17]. If people reflect together, entire teams can be inspired by experiences from others [18], learn from others, obtain feedback, and create ideas that go beyond knowledge of single individuals [15]. To release such benefits, knowledge and experiences need to be shared among a group [19].…”