Reflection tells your audience what you think.

When you take time to look back or think quietly about something, a deep, more lasting learning is achieved. Asking questions and conducting a self assessment is at the core of reflection.  As part of an e-portfolio process, you will reflect on what you have learned throughout your program and time at the University of Delaware. Successful reflection will help you grow and become more self-aware. It will develop into a skill that will last a lifetime.

Engaging regularly in structured reflection leads students to deeper understanding and better application of subject matter knowledge and increased knowledge of social agencies, increased complexity of problem and solution analysis, and greater use of subject matter knowledge in analyzing problems (Eyler and Giles, 1999).

What is the purpose of reflection?

Reflection lets you discover, learn more about, and understand yourself. When you reflect on your experiences and working with others, you see your strengths and weaknesses. You have a sense of what you know, do not understand, and still need to learn. Reflection is a life-long skill that members of the University community will help you to develop. It is not just a sharing of feelings or opinions.

"High-quality reflection calls for well-developed intellectual skill and perceptiveness richly grounded in knowledge and expertise." (Anne Colby, Elizabeth Beaumont, Thomas Ehrlich, and Josh Corngo*)

What will I reflect on?

You will reflect on your experiences while at the University both in and out of the classroom. This may include both successes and failures. Each experience provides an opportunity for you to grow both intellectually and emotionally. Focus your reflections on this growth. How did you get to this point?

When should I reflect?

It is a good idea to capture your reflection when you first create and save your artifacts. It is always easier when your thoughts are fresh in your mind versus trying to go back a few years. Often your instructors will direct you to complete a reflection upon the completion of certain assignments, group projects, etc.

Sample questions to reflect on in your portfolio

• Regarding the selection of an artifact
  • Why did you select this particular work sample?
  • Compared to other artifacts, can you see improvement? How is it better or worse?
  • Has your skill set changed as a result of this work?
• Goal setting
  • What were your initial goals when you came to the University of Delaware?
  • How have your goals evolved or changed since coming to the University? What experiences have prompted these changes?
• Philosophy statement
  • What inspires you? Are there people or communities that influence the choices you make?
  • How are your values and beliefs expressed in your daily life? What are you passionate about?
  • How might your choices make a difference in the world?