Planning reflection activities
Abstract
Giving volunteers opportunities for reflection can improve their attitudes toward service and allow them to look back on, think critically about, and learn from their service experience. The Service Reflection Toolkit by the Northwest Service Academy discusses the benefits of reflection and helps organizers plan and facilitate reflection activities. The toolkit includes suggested reflection activities ranging in time from 15 seconds to two hours.Issue
Providing reflection periods to round out the service-learning experience.Action
Use the What? So What? Now What? Model
What? (Reporting what happened, objectively) Without judgment or interpretation, participants describe in detail the facts and event(s) of the service experience.
So What? Participants discuss their feelings, ideas, and analysis of the service experience.
Now What? Participants consider broader implications of the service experience and apply learning. Be aware to strike a balance between realistic, reachable goals and openness to spontaneity and change.
Use a variety of reflection activities.
These can be of varying length -- anywhere from 15 seconds to two hours.
Journaling is one of the best reflection tools.
Ideally, the program or project would allow for a ten to fifteen minute period every day for the volunteers to journal; preferably at the end of the day or during/after a debrief. It is helpful if staff or the project leader provides substantial structure to insure quality, conscientious journaling. Regardless of the time allotted, it is important to encourage participants to write whatever comes to mind, and to not worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. This entails a commitment to confidentiality, that nobody will ever have to share what they have written unless they want to. Be definite and clear about the time allotted, (five to fifteen minutes) and let the participants know when time is almost up. Journaling methods include free writing, writing letters and guided imagery.
Context
Reflection is a crucial part of community service. The resources included in the toolkit offer a variety of tips and activities appropriate for a variety of situations and many different learning styles.Outcome
There are many benefits to reflection including creating a sense of accomplishment, improving service, closure, and personal and team development.Posted On
April 20, 2001For More Information