FAQS

We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.

                                                                                                                  John Dewey (1916)

What is reflective writing?

Reflective writing is the physical act of writing your thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and interactions related to specific teaching activities, situations, or observations in a learning environment.  Reflective writing can help you learn from events in order to improve your knowledge and skill as an educator. Engaging in reflection and reflective writing allows you to adjust your teaching practices to improve outcomes because it forces you to think critically about what was successful or challenging about an instructional interaction.

What are the benefits of reflective writing?

Reflective writing has many identified benefits:

• Allows you to engage in deeper, longer-lasting learning
• Opens a conversation between you and your instructor
• It helps you learn about concepts instead of just facts
• Self-reflection can help you identify your preconceived thoughts and feelings and allow you to dive deeper into understanding different cultures, values, and behaviors

What are the types of reflective writing?

Reflective writing can generally fit into three categories:

• Highly personal:  In this type of reflective writing, time is taken to reflect on an experience and the essay does not incorporate any research or source material. It is purely all about you and your feelings regarding a situation.
• Mid-ground:  Mid-ground reflective writing allows for a reflection upon personal experiences within the context of the course itself such as readings, research, and lecture materials
• Highly academic:  Highly academic reflective writing is when you reflect upon the readings, research, and lecture materials without any reference to personal experiences

How do I write reflectively?

Once you identify the type of reflective writing you are asked to complete, you can start the writing process.  While there are multiple frameworks for reflective writing, here is a generic framework to help get you started:

• Description:  Choose an event and describe what happened chronologically.  What happened?  Who was involved?  Where did it take place?  Why were you there?  What part did you play?  What part did others play?
• Assessment/analysis:  This is the time to review the actions and steps taken during the event.  What went well?  What did not?  What were certain actions taken? Were appropriate interventions taken?   
• Evaluation/Implications:  Describe how this event impacted you.  What was the outcome of the event?  What did you learn from the event?  What would you do differently next time?  
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