1. Reflecting on Service The Resource CenterandThe National Service-Learning Clearinghouse

2. A few words to reflect on Experience is not what happens to people; it is what people do with what happened to them. - Aldous Huxley(with liberties)

3. A few words to reflect on We do not learn from doing, we learn from thinking about what we do. - Northwest Service Academy

4. Why reflect? • Gives meaning to the experience • Relieves tension & re-energizes • Sense of accomplishment • Integrates service into one's life • Reality check • Acknowledges gained skills

5. Research shows • Reflection can have some positive impact on volunteers • The lack of reflection has a strong NEGATIVE impact Citation:Service Reflection Toolkit, Northwest Service Academy: Portland, Oregon

6. Three stages of reflection • Pre-service During service Post-service

7. Three stages of reflection Reflection can occur at any and allstages of a service experience

8. Three stages of reflection • Pre-service: • examine own beliefs, assumptions, attitudes • establish baseline to measure change and growth at end of project

9. Three stages of reflection • During service: • learn from peers • share observations and feedback • ask questions • solve problems

10. Three stages of reflection • Post-service: • evaluate impact of service • acknowledge personal growth

11. Reflection may include • Reactions • Ideas • Questions • Observations • Feelings • Hypotheses

12. Writing Speaking Listening Reading Drawing Acting Reflection can happen through

13. Reflection should • Have an outcome in mind • Be appropriate for the group • Happen before, during, and after service • Be directly linked to the project experience

14. Reflection should • Dispel stereotypes • Address negative experiences • Increase awareness of community needs • Increase commitment to service

15. Reflection should • Be varied for different learning styles • Actively involve the service recipients • Be facilitated well for maximum participation, creativity, and learning See Northwest Service Academy Toolkit for reflection activity examples

16. Resources • Service Reflection ToolkitNorthwest Service Academystudentsinservicetoamerica.org/tools_resources/docs/nwtoolkit.pdf(490Kb PDF) • Connecting Thinking and Action: Ideas for Service-Learning ReflectionRMC Research Corporation servicelearning.org/filemanager/download/132/(1.1Mb PDF)

17. Feedback • National Service-Learning Clearinghouse E-mail: info@servicelearning.org Phone: 1-866-245-SERV (7378) Website: www.servicelearning.org • The Resource Center E-mail: epicenter@etr.org Phone: 1-800-860-2684 x100 Website: www.nationalservice.gov/resources/