1. Reflections

2. What is REFLECTION? Reflection is what makes the project/activity a true learning experience, and this is why it is essential that you reflect on your activities/projects on a regular basis. Reflection is what makes a project or activity a truly pedagogical experience This enables students to grow in their ability to explore skills, strengths, limitations and areas for further development.

3. TYPES OF REFLECTIONS There are two types of reflections. First, there are short, weekly reflections. Secondly, once you complete a project, you must provide a longer, more through, final reflection.

4. Weekly Reflections Here are some guiding questions for weekly reflections:  What activities did I do?  Did my activity go according to plan? Why, why not?  How did I feel about the activities that I did? How did others react to them?  What steps can I take to improve?  What challenges did I face? How did I handle them?  What new insights have I gained as a result of my actions?

5. Here are some guiding questions for a final reflection: What did I plan to do? What did I actually do? What were the learning outcomes, for me, the team I was working with, and others? Did I maintain full attendance? How would I summarize my effort and commitment? Give examples What did I know prior to starting the project? What was the reality I encountered? What did I succeed in understanding? How did I feel while doing the activity? How did the recipients of my activity or the people I did the activity with feel? What skills was I able to develop? What attitudes and values was I able to discover in me, in others? What have I learnt about myself and others? What changes did the activity bring about in me as a person? If I could do this project again, what would I do differently? How can I apply what has been learnt to new situations in the future?

6. Reflect as often as possible and vary the format of your reflection. Your reflection can take any of the following formats: a documentary/movie a blog or a podcast a written paragraph uploaded to Managebac a piece of art (a painting, a collage, graphic novel style art) that´s scanned or photographed with a comment explaining it your photos with comments a physical journal scanned into Managebac a piece of music or a poem your own creative expression

7. Example of a GOOD reflection My personal involvement in this activity was to contribute to the team as a runner. The main task besides effort was consistent participation. I was expected to be prompt and on time to practice every day. This helped me with punctuality issues I’ve always struggled with: oftentimes I leave the house when I’m already supposed to be somewhere. However, cross-country made me realize that there is no excuse for lateness and everything I do should be on time. Besides gaining the skill of promptness, I also gained a great deal of physical strength, stamina, speed, and endurance and was able to gain muscle and run faster times with each passing season. Running is both frustrating and joyful, but the most apparent feeling I get from running is one of power. I feel in control of my legs and my abilities whenever I finish a race with a personal best time and have successfully pushed myself and prevented myself from walking any part of the course. My perspective of running has changed since beginning to run. Specifically this season, I gained insight by realizing that running is more mental than physical. Why run if it’s not significant to you? This is not an appropriate activity to fulfill an extra-curricular requirement with. It is extremely painstaking, and if your heart’s not in it, it will be a miserable experience. This is why I believed I loved running so much. I was completely dedicated to self-improvement. I didn’t do it because my friends were doing it, or because I wanted to fill up my resume. I did it because I enjoyed the burn in my legs. I know I want to continue running in college, perhaps not as competitively (varsity), but for enjoyment and personal improvement (such as intramural cross-country). I believe I was very successful in personal improvement through this activity and gained a lot more self-confidence by staying in shape.

8. Example of a poor reflection Today I got to the center at 2 p.m. Talked to some women. Passed out popcorn at the movie. Went home at 4 p.m. When you volunteer somewhere, people make you feel appreciated. It makes it worthwhile.