1. Reflecting on Service National Service Resource Center National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

2. A few words to reflect on Experience is not what happens to people; it is what people do with what happened to them. - Aldous Huxley (with liberties) We do not learn from doing, we learn from thinking about what we do. - Northwest Service Academy

3. Why reflect? Gives meaning to the experience Relieves tension and re-energizes participants Sense of accomplishment Integrates service into one's life Reality Check Acknowledges gained skills

4. Research shows Reflection has some positive impact on the attitudes of the volunteers regarding service The lack of reflection has a STRONG NEGATIVE impact

5. Three stages of reflection pre-service: examine own beliefs, assumptions and attitudes during service: learn from peers, share observations; ask for and receive feedback; ask questions; and solve problems post-service: evaluate impact of service; acknowledge personal growth

6. Reflection may include Reactions Feelings Observations Ideas

7. Reflection can happen through Writing Speaking Listening Reading Drawing Acting

8. Reflection should: Have an outcome in mind Be appropriate for the group Happen before, during, and soon after service Be directly linked to the project experience Dispel stereotypes Address negative experiences

9. Reflection should: Increase appreciation for community needs Increase commitment to service Be varied for different learning styles Actively involve the service recipients Be facilitated well for maximum participation, creativity, and learning

10. Resources Service Reflection Toolkit Northwest Service Academy http://www.studentsinservicetoamerica.org/tools_resources/docs/ nwtoolkit.pdf nwtoolkit.pdf (490Kb PDF) Connecting Thinking and Action: Ideas for Service-Learning Reflection RMC Research Corporation http://servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/132 (1.1Mb PDF) http://servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/132

11. Feedback Share your ideas with us! National Service-Learning Clearinghouse E-mail: info@servicelearning.orginfo@servicelearning.org Phone: 1-866-245-SERV (7378) Website: www.servicelearning.orgwww.servicelearning.org National Service Resource Center E-mail: epicenter@etr.orgepicenter@etr.org Phone: 1-800-860-2684 x100 Website: http://nationalserviceresources.orghttp://nationalserviceresources.org