The Importance of Reflection

As we look back on 15 weeks of this course, I hope we remember that nearly all our early Experiential Education Champions (from the week 2 reading) identified Critical Reflection as a key element to Outdoor Education and broader Experiential Education. 

Reflection (also referred to as Debriefing) helps us create connections between seemingly disconnected experiences and across gaps in time. By purposely pausing, during/after an experience, we can reorient our current thoughts, knowledge and emotions to the beginning of the experience, to another situation in our lives, and/or toward the future. 

We can reflect on any element of the experience and gain some new understanding(s) that we can apply to future experiences. 

http://meganmcmillan.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/7/9/31791771/the_importance_of_reflection_outside_of_outdoor__environmental_education_settings.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Kolbs Reflective Cycle- (remove the narrators use of ‘teach

Please answer three guided reflection questions, and two questions that you create for yourself. 

*Reflections do not have to relate directly to subject material. Review your work from the entire course, and any reading that were meaningful to you and draw any conclusions that are readily available on a personal level. 

1. How did your understanding of Outdoor Education change from the first week of this course? How did your concept/perception of the Back Country change? (review your introduction from Week 1 if you need a reminder)

2. Reflecting on your academic career, would you like to see more Outdoor Education strategies practiced; in the elementary setting, in the secondary setting, in the collegiate setting? In what ways could Outdoor Educational practices be implemented at these levels? What might be the effects (positive or negative)?

3. Now What? How can you apply something that you learned to any of the following spheres-

1. Your social life

1. Family

2. Friends

2. Your Academic self

3. Your professional environment

4. Personally/Internally

4 and 5. Create two additional Reflection Questions and answer them.