What the research says about reflection in service-learning

This resource provides a brief summary of the theory and importance of reflection as part of service-learning.

Use this resource to:

• understand the theoretical basis of reflection and its outcomes associated with service-learning
• learn the best practices for supporting reflection
• try the activities presented

Reflection: K-12 Service-Learning is a resource produced for the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

Promoting reflection about community service

Reflection is a crucial part of community service, which allows volunteers to look back on, think critically about, and learn from their service experience. This collection of activities illustrates ways reflection can happen through writing, speaking, listening, reading, drawing, acting, and any other way you can imagine.

Use this resource to:

• Design a reflection activity.
• Learn tips about facilitating a reflection activity.
• Promote journaling as an opportunity for reflection
• Use one of the many "tools" (activities) to promote reflection

The Reflection Toolkit was contributed by the Northwest Service Academy, an AmeriCorps program that addresses critical environmental and educational needs, partnering with 125 community agencies, with members serving in individual placements or on field teams.

Learn how to facilitate meaningful reflection

This manual is designed using the Six-Step Model of Service-Learning Planning and Implementation as the framework for reflective opportunities. The activities have been chosen for their effectiveness at each step of group project planning and are appropriate for people in middle school through adulthood.

Use this resource to:

• guide the planning of service-learning projects
• use these activities at different steps in your project
• adapt the activity to meet the needs of your objectives and your group

Reflection by Design was created by Service-Learning Northwest, a program of the Educational Service District 112 (Vancouver, WA).