Malone 240

Service-Learning Reflection Procedures

Reflection is the critical link between service and learning and grows out of experiences. Through reflection you can analyze
concepts, evaluate experiences, and form opinions. Critical reflection provides the opportunity to examine and question beliefs,
opinions, and values. It involves observation, asking questions, and putting facts, ideas, and experiences together to derive new
meaning and new knowledge.

Reflection is a process designed to promote the examination and interpretation of experience and the promotion of cognitive
learning. It is the process of looking back on the implications of actions taken - good and bad - determining what has been gained,
lost, or achieved, and connecting these conclusions to future actions and larger societal contexts.
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Guidelines: Due Dates:
Reflections should be a minimum of 500 words.
All reflections must be submitted to Madeleine Ramsey as a Word
document through Chalk & Wire by the indicated due date.
Each reflection will receive a rubric score. Rubric scores do not
directly correlate to letter grade equivalents. These scores are used to
help you analyze your work and develop over time.



Rubric:

Not
Demonstrated
0
Novice
1
Developing
2
Proficient
3
Accomplished
4
Depth of
Reflection

Brief or
perfunctory
description of
events.
General statement of
events with some
elaboration. Only
personal perspective
considered.
Multiple
perspectives are
acknowledged with
some elaboration.
Insight is present
but not fully
developed or
analyzed.
Fully developed
thoughts that consider
multiple perspectives.
Articulates insight and
personal growth from
experiences in the field.
Prek-12
Student
Learning

Recognizes that
students have
individual learning
needs.
Seeks and identifies
resources and
strategies that can
assist in meeting the
individual learning
needs of students.
Engages students in
activities designed
to meet individual
learning needs.
Evaluates student
engagement and
effectiveness of learning
activities to inform
future decision making.
Connection to
Course
Content

Reflection
indirectly
addresses some
aspect of course
content.
Course content is
stated but not fully
defined and link to
personal experiences
in the field is weak.
Course content fully
defined in own
words and
meaningfully
related to
experiences in the
field.
Analyzes and evaluates
theories and ideas from
course based on
knowledge and insight
gained from experiences
in the field.
Writing
Structure

Writing is difficult
to follow due to
weak organization,
poor use of
paragraphs, and/or
mechanical errors.
Writing may have
errors but
comprehension is not
significantly
inhibited.
Writing is easy to
follow, logically
organized, and
points are clearly
made.
Strong writing style with
clear ability to express
thoughts and point of
view. Writing is well
organized with smooth
transitions between
thoughts.

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Adapted from The Importance of Reflection in Service-Learning 2002 Santa Monica College Faculty Training Workshops on Service-Learning
Pedagogy

# Due by class time:
1 October 1
st

2 October 8
th

3 October 22
nd

4 October 29
th

5 November 5
th

6 November 12
th

7 November 19
th

8 December 3
rd

Malone 240

Questions to consider when writing a reflection:

What happened?
What did you observe?
Did a particular interaction or moment stick with you?
What reaction did you have?
What worked or didnt work? Why?
Did anything surprise you?
What did you learn about yourself?
What difference did the experience make for you or others?
Did you learn a new skill?
How was the experience different than what you expected?
What impacts the way you view the experience?
What did you dislike or like about the experience?
What do you think was the students take on the experience?
How might you have approached the situation differently?
What drove your decision making process?
What contributed to the students success?
What learning occurred for you in this experience?
How can you apply this learning?
What are your next steps?
How does this connect to coursework?
What was challenging?
What questions did the experience raise?