Effective Reflection

Reflection transforms service experiences into learning. Individual journal writing, small and large group reflection encourages students to engage in in-depth exploration of complex public health issues. A final formal reflection presentation culminates service team experiences and integrates the numerous experiences with the overarching theme of health disparities. This session will focus on the reflection methods, including (1) Individual Journal Writing, students are provided a journal and a series of reflection questions based on the service and events of the service learning course. Students are expected to take time to respond to reflection questions at the end of the day. Questions are intended to promote critical thinking and assessment of larger systems at work; (2) Individual and Small Group Reflection students are divided into small teams and work together to reflect on daily service experiences and prepare a summary to share informally with the larger group; and (3) Community Integrated Final Reflection, as a culminating event, service teams prepare and present a 30 minute final reflection. Participants will explore ways to encourage students to incorporate public health models and frameworks provided in the course readings and the overall service course paradigm of health disparities and the role of public health advocacy into reflection.