What is Reflection?

“Community service, in itself, can be meaningful, pointless, or harmful. Reflection is the key to getting meaning from your service experience. What is reflection? It is a process by which service-learners think critically about their experiences. Why is reflection important? Learning happens through a mix of theory and practice, thought and action, observation and interaction. It allows students to learn for themselves.”
- Mark Cooper, “The Big Dummy’s Guide to Service-Learning”

Reflection is a key component of service-learning. Reflection occurs when service participants engage in a thought provoking activity that deliberately connects the service experience to learning objectives. Reflection can take place before, during, and after the service.

There is no one prescribed reflective activity. In choosing a reflection activity, the service-learning practitioner should be creative; tie the activity to particular learning objectives; and take into consideration the ability, composition, and “personality” of the reflection group; how the activity or students will be evaluated; and where the activity will take place.

Reflection may involve writing, reading, telling and showing. Some examples of activities that can facilitate the reflection process, while documenting the learning that has occurred from the service experience, are

Journaling
Group discussions
Individual and group presentations, including audio and visual presentations
Directed writings
Research papers
Online discussions
Service-learning portfolios
Service logs
Personal narratives

Why Reflect?

Reflection allows the service participant to capture the value of the service experience.

Benefits of Reflection

Enhances academic learning
Promotes personal development
Provides a greater awareness of a particular community problem or issue
Develops critical thinking skills
Gives meaning to the service
Increases the sensitivity to diversity
Promotes a sense of accomplishment
Improves future service