1. Reflection in the CAS Portfolio
Chapter 3 in the CAS Text

2. Reflection
Reflection is the way in which we understand what has happened and convert an experience into learning.
“Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.” -Aldous Huxley

3. Reflection helps you…
Better understand your strengths, weaknesses, areas for improvement.
Develop your decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Identify your values/beliefs and those of others.
Consider and act upon feedback.
Make more sense of your experiences and how they shape your actions.
Acknowledge and challenge assumptions on which you base your ideas, choices, feelings, and actions.
Apply learning from one situation to another.
Make links between CAS experiences and other IB subjects.
Better understand yourself, and those you interact with.

4. Reflection = situated learning
Gives meaning to what is experienced and learned
Important part of being a critical thinker
Making reflection a habit will help you be more aware of how your actions impact your future

5. When to Reflect Before: Investigation/Preparation
During: Action - Consider alternative courses of action. Consider what’s going well and what needs improvement. (pp in text)
After: Demonstration/Communication - Step back from your experience. Ask questions. Share your changing perspective. Draw conclusions. Think about the learning outcomes you have achieved. (pp in text)

6. Main characteristics of reflection
Practice! Reflection is not a natural process. It takes work.
You must feel safe reflecting in an honest way. Managebac portfolios are private. Only your CAS coordinator and adviser can see your reflections.
Quality is more important than quantity.
Choose personal and enjoyable forms of reflection.
Become independently reflective - you will have to do this on your own after 1st semester.

7. Parts of the process… Describe the situation
Analyze and unwrap the experience. How did you feel? How did others feel? Why did it happen the way it did? What were the expectations?
Evaluate the situation and make sense of what happened. Goals met? Difficulties? Changes for next time?
Draw conclusions. What did you learn? What learner profile attributes did you develop?
Ask questions. How did your perspective change? What questions do you still have?
Plan further actions and look ahead. How can you apply this learning to other life situations?