5 Activities That Promote Reflection in The Classroom

5 Activities That Promote Reflection in the Classroom
The metacognitive work of reflecting on learning boosts engagement and encourages the development
of critical thinking skills.
By Rachelle Dené Poth
April 25, 2023
Milko / iStock
Reflection is a powerful tool for enhancing learning and knowledge acquisition and is essential for
teachers and students. When students engage in reflective thinking, they are better able to analyze and
evaluate their experiences, which enables them to extract meaning and actively process what they have
learned and to make sense of it. By taking the time to engage in the metacognitive practice of thinking
and reflecting on learning, students can make more meaningful connections and gain a deeper
understanding of the material, leading to greater long-term retention and application of knowledge.
Reflection also helps students develop metacognitive and social and emotional skills, such as self-
awareness and self-regulation, by identifying areas for improvement and setting new goals. These are all
important skills for lifelong learning.
5 LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT CAN FOSTER REFLECTION
To promote reflection, there are many options available that provide students with choices in how to
share what they have learned and to engage in reflective practice.
1. Blogging. For students who enjoy writing or jotting down ideas, blogging or journaling can be a great
choice. Whether students contribute to a class blog or share it only with their teacher, it enables
students to practice their writing skills, reflect on their learning, and potentially receive feedback from
their peers. The blog can be on a topic related to their coursework, such as a book review, a reflection on
a field trip, or a summary of a research project and what they learned and how the experience was for
them.
WeVideo is a neat way for students to compile a series of video reflections and have an artifact of their
learning to look back on throughout the year. It also promotes student choice and building digital skills
with its editing tools and features. Students can even collaborate with classmates as they reflect.
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2. Digital storytelling. Digital storytelling is a popular and engaging option for students who are looking to
showcase their knowledge through multimedia. With digital storytelling, students are empowered with
choices in how to create a visual representation of their learning in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way.
Depending on the tool used, students can include images, video, and audio to share thoughts and
reflections of learning.
StoryJumper is a digital storytelling platform that promotes student choice and voice in learning.
Students can choose different background scenes, characters, and props and record audio for their
books. Books can easily be shared with a QR code.
3. Making mind maps. Creating graphic organizers or mind maps can be another way to boost
visualization of learning and for students to present their thought processes, ideas, and connections
between different concepts they have learned. Mind maps can promote critical thinking and creativity
skills, as well as helping students evaluate how well they understand complex topics and develop a
deeper understanding of the material.
Ideamapper is a tool that can be used by students and teachers for creating a mind map. There are many
templates available to start with that make it easy to process learning, creating visualizations that help
students reflect on concepts learned and make connections, leading to better content retention.
4. Podcasting. For students who prefer speaking rather than writing to communicate their thoughts and
ideas, podcasts are a great option. I started my own podcast as a way to reflect on my teaching practices
and also to share what I was learning and how it impacted my classroom. By creating a podcast, students
can explore their communication skills, delve deeper into a topic, and have a thoughtful discussion with
classmates or simply a conversation with themselves that they can listen to and process for further
reflection.
Students can create an episode to talk about a current event or a specific area of study, or to self-assess
their learning experiences. Students can provide their unique perspective and insights on a topic while
refining their speaking and communication skills. They will articulate their ideas more clearly, structure
their thoughts, and engage in conversation, all of which also benefit their SEL skills.
Soundtrap for Education offers students and teachers many resources for getting started with podcasting
in the classroom. Soundtrap also has lesson plans on a variety of topics and content areas for educators
to explore and start podcasting with students right away.
5. Building digital portfolios. Digital portfolios are a great way to have students track their progress.
Through a portfolio, they can build a narrative of their work and have a space to reflect on their progress
and set goals.
Spaces EDU is a digital portfolio platform that helps teachers gain a deeper understanding of students’
interests, needs, and learning styles. Students can track their growth over time, identifying strengths and
areas where they can set new goals. This information is critical in supporting reflective practice, allowing
teachers to adjust their teaching strategies to better serve each student’s unique needs.
Wakelet offers many possibilities for classroom use. Students can have their own Wakelet to add artifacts
of work and create a digital portfolio, as well as record Flip videos to reflect on their learning. Flip has
been a very beneficial tool in my classroom for several years. Whether students record videos to share
their ideas or respond to prompts, it offers many choices that provide authentic and engaging learning
and reflection opportunities for students.
BENEFITS OF REFLECTION
Reflection promotes self-awareness and self-improvement and helps students identify strengths and
weaknesses, set goals, and develop strategies to improve their learning outcomes. We want students to
take ownership of their learning and become more active and engaged learners.
Reflective practices also enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When we engage in the
metacognitive process of thinking about thinking, we develop greater awareness of our learning
experiences. Students will develop a habit of self-reflection that will enable them to better adapt to new
challenges, learn from experiences, and continue to grow and develop as they prepare for the future.
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5 Activities That Promote Reflection in the Classroom

By Rachelle Dené Poth

April 25, 2023

5 LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT CAN FOSTER REFLECTION

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