Reflection in Service Learning
“As a community, we have a responsibility to try and make this big problem a smaller one.” Student
What are the Benefits of Reflection?
- Reflection allows students to synthesize the observed data gleaned from service activities and connect the new knowledge with the formal knowledge obtained from classroom activities and materials.
- Reflection allows for thinking critically about and analyze emotional responses to service activities in the context of course content and the learning objectives.
- Reflection allows students develop a deeper understanding of course subject matter outside of the traditional classroom environment.
- Reflection can promote interpersonal communication, problem solving skills, self-awareness, a sense of civic responsibility, and a sense of belonging.
- Reflection provides faculty the means to assess the experiential learning that occurs when students participate in service activities outside the classroom.



Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions Before Service Learning
- What is the identified problem/community need?
- How is your community partner site addressing that need?
- What are some of your perceptions or beliefs about the population you will be serving?
- What fear, if any, do you have about working in the community?
- What do you hope to gain from this experience?
Reflection Questions During Service Learning
- How does your service learning experience relate to the learning objectives of the course?
- What did you do at your site since the last reflection discussion?
- What have you observed so far?
- What are you learning?
- What has worked? What hasn't?
- What do you think will be the most valuable service you can offer at your site?
- What has been easy or difficult about the services you provide?
- Is there something more you could do to contribute to the solution?
- What specific skills are you using at your community site?
Reflection Questions After Service Learning
- What have you learned about yourself?
- What have you learned about your community?
- What have you contributed to the community site?
- What values, opinions, beliefs have changed?
- What was the most important lesson learned?
- How have you been challenged?
- What should others do about this issue?
- What impact did you have on the community?
- How can you continue your involvement with this group or social issue?
Awards and Recognition
Courses with Experiential Learning
Contact Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
June 20, 2018