How do internships work? The role of self-reflection in a internship REU Orientation May 30, 2014

Super’s Developmental Self- Concept Theory Exploration ~ 14 to mid 20’s –Tentative –Crystallization of preference –Specifying a vocational preference Growth Establishment

Mentor Intern Current achievement ZPD Beyond reach at present Interaction

Expert Novice Is content knowledge enough?

Expert Novice

Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory Self-efficacy – the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute courses of action. –Personal performance –Vicarious Experience –Verbal Persuasion –Physiological and emotional factors

Self Efficacy Impacts Choices Motivation Thought patterns Destiny Ideas

Metacognition (Executive Control) Monitoring your progress & Making changes and adapting your strategies to ensure maximum effectiveness Winn & Snyder, 1998

Novice Learners Don’t evaluate their comprehension Don’t examine the quality of their work Don’t make revisions as they go Don’t make robust connections with the content Only scratch the surface of content Ertmer & Newby, 1996

Expert Learners Organize knowledge Identify relevant & ignore irrelevant Self-regulate & Self-evaluate Strategies self-improvement. –Practices –Experiments Respond to context and apply knowledge at crucial times Remain flexible to adapt to changing needs (Cleary and Zimmerman, 2000; Wineburg, 1998; Zimmerman & Risemberg, 1997; Ericsson and Charness, 1994; Glaser, 1992)

Strategies for success this summer Awareness Planning Monitoring Reflection

A relevant example….

Why practice this? Confidence Independence Ownership

Applying metacognitive strategies Awareness: Defining what you want to get out of the summer on your blog. Awareness: Clearly defining your summer project in your own words (w/ host input) Planning: Clearly define goals for the first, second and final thirds of the summer (w/ host input) Monitor & Reflect: Schedule time to check on your progress towards your goals and reflect on the effectiveness of the strategies you have been using to achieve them.

Setting goals Employees are motivated by clear goals and appropriate feedback… working toward a goal provided a major source of motivation to actually reach the goal… which, in turn, improved performance (Dr Edwin Locke, 1968) What do you want to achieve?