Reflection

Reflection is designed to help you stay focused throughout your activity. As you will be testing out your SMU education in a real world situation, guided reflection is a great way to help you make connections between what you are doing, the impact you are having and what you are learning.

There are three reflection exercises tailored for each phase of your project:

Reflection Exercise 1
Reflection Exercise 2

Reflection Exercise 3

You have already completed Reflection Exercise 1 in your application packet. Your responses are the groundwork for what you hope to accomplish, anticipating goals and challenges.

Reflection Exercise 2 happens while you are involved in your activity. It helps you to be aware of your interactions, monitor your ideas of what you hope to accomplish and check what is happening. It also gives you insight on whether or not you may need to change directions as well as how to do it with some sense of confidence.

Reflection Exercise 3 happens during the follow up phase. It helps you to summarize your experience. It challenges you to think about what you have accomplished, its impact on the host community and how the end result matches your initial expectations. An important consideration for you to think about is how the new knowledge, skills and experience you have gained will be integrated into your life.

 


Here's How It Works:

  1. Review the reflection exercises.

  2. Complete Reflection Exercise 2 half-way through your activity. For some of you that may be mid-summer; for others it may be during the fall semester.

  3. Record your answers on the form. If you need more space, attach a separate piece of paper. 

  4. Forward the form to the Office of Engaged Learning. This reflection activity is due as soon as you have completed it, and no later than October 1.

  5. Complete Reflection Exercise 3 at the end of your activity. 
     
  6. Record your answers on the form. If you need more space, attach a separate piece of paper. 

  7. Forward the form to the Office of Engaged Learning. This reflection activity is due no later than April 15.