Reflection has Many Faces
Learning is incomplete without reflection. But reflection can mean many things.
Here are 4 types of reflection that add immense value in learning experiences:
1/ Self Reflection
This this being able to reflect on experiences, learning at an individual level.
Some examples of self reflection prompts:
What was your biggest takeaway from this session?
What is one thing you’re most excited to apply in your context?
What is one question you’re keen on exploring
Self Reflection helps a learner think through how something makes sense in their specific context.
2/ Peer Reflection
Peer reflection is reflecting learnings in smaller groups of 2-4. You can reflect on the learning experience, the topic itself or on shared experiences you might have had.
Some examples of peer reflection prompts:
From your own context, share an example of where you have seen this topic in action.
In breakout rooms, discuss what you learn about yourself while filling the worksheet.
How did you apply learnings from the last session in your life? Discuss in pairs.
Peer Reflection helps learners gather different perspectives on the topic and find connections with their peers.
3/ Group Reflection
Group reflection is with the larger group that you’re learning with. Depending on the context, this could be a class, a cohort or a team.
Some examples of group reflection prompts:
Complete and share with the group, “I used to think…. and now I think….”
In the chat, describe how you are feeling after the session today using an emoji.
In the chat, add your biggest takeaway from this session?
Group Reflection also helps learners gather different perspectives and find connections with their peers. The flip-side being, unless the group size is small, chances are not everyone will get to share their reflection with the larger group. Reflection can however be made visible by using shared tools like Chat, Miro Boards, Jam boards etc.
4/ Reflection Outside the Group
This implies reflection outside the group you’re learning with. Depending on the context, this could be friends, family or even colleagues.
Some examples of reflection outside the group:
Share your biggest learnings from today’s session with a friend or a colleague.
Think about how this topic will change the work you’re doing. Share your reflection with your team
Reflection outside the group helps in deepening learning by seeing how it applies in different contexts.
What’s the best type of reflection?
None. There is no silver bullet to reflection. Different combinations of the above work in different contexts. Even under each type, there can be different prompts for different contexts. Each prompt can also be modified to suit self, peer or group reflections.
Reflection needs time and space. But most importantly, reflection needs a culture to thrive. Our learning environments need to be able to create safe spaces for our learners where they feel okay feeling vulnerable.