1. Using the Reflection Screen in the Online WBL Database Spring/Summer 2012

2. Introduction The new Reflection Screen in the Online WBL Database: -- Provides space for interns/participants to write brief reflections or essays about the work experience and about the skills highlighted in the WBLP; -- Complements the rest of the Work-Based Learning Plan; -- Is visible to the intern/participant and to program staff (teachers and program coordinators), but not visible to the employer/supervisor. NEW!

3. Introduction NEW!

4. 1.) Select a skill or topic The dropdown list at the top of the page offers a list of the skills on the WBLP, as well as “overall reflections.” Select a skill or topic that you would like to write about and click the button to VIEW QUESTIONS. The dropdown list at the top of the page offers a list of the skills on the WBLP, as well as “overall reflections.” Select a skill or topic that you would like to write about and click the button to VIEW QUESTIONS.

5. 2.) Check the question(s) you want to answer… The refle ction scre en -- Once you choose a skill or topic and click VIEW QUESTIONS you will see a list of questions or writing prompts.

6. Choose a question and write a reflection. Check the question(s) you want to answer and write a reflection in the box and click SAVE. The reflection can be whatever length you want… a few sentences or a longer essay. Check the question(s) you want to answer and write a reflection in the box and click SAVE. The reflection can be whatever length you want… a few sentences or a longer essay.

7. Using the reflection screen You can use the reflection screen to write as many reflections as desired or required for your work experience program… such as weekly reflections or end-of-summer reflections.

8. View, add and edit reflections The second part of the screen shows all of the reflections you have written. You can click the buttons to add a reflection or to edit one that you have written. The second part of the screen shows all of the reflections you have written. You can click the buttons to add a reflection or to edit one that you have written.

9. Viewing reflections and printer-friendly screen Notice that this part of the screen is organized around the WBLP, with overall reflections first and then each of the WBLP skills, with any reflections written for that skill. Click the button for “printer friendly” for a similar copy of this screen, organized for printing. Notice that this part of the screen is organized around the WBLP, with overall reflections first and then each of the WBLP skills, with any reflections written for that skill. Click the button for “printer friendly” for a similar copy of this screen, organized for printing.

10. Purpose of the reflection screen The purpose of the reflection screen is to help participants in work-based learning programs to consolidate what they have learned and to expand on their ideas and insights.

11. Consolidate what you know Reflective writing is valuable for “consolidating” your knowledge – reviewing what you have learned about a job, about career options, and about skills you have obtained. This type of reflection is valuable as a foundation for taking next steps in your career development: for setting goals, looking at postsecondary education options, writing college applications, writing resumes, answering job interview questions, and other next steps. Reflective writing is valuable for “consolidating” your knowledge – reviewing what you have learned about a job, about career options, and about skills you have obtained. This type of reflection is valuable as a foundation for taking next steps in your career development: for setting goals, looking at postsecondary education options, writing college applications, writing resumes, answering job interview questions, and other next steps.

12. Expand your ideas and insights Reflective writing is valuable for expanding your ideas and insights –using your experience as a starting point for exploring ideas, thinking about trends, and working out your own opinions on various subjects. The topics for these reflections may be very specific or very broad – such as reflections on leadership skills or listening skills or motivation – or reflections on trends in technology, job markets, or other areas. Reflective writing is valuable for expanding your ideas and insights –using your experience as a starting point for exploring ideas, thinking about trends, and working out your own opinions on various subjects. The topics for these reflections may be very specific or very broad – such as reflections on leadership skills or listening skills or motivation – or reflections on trends in technology, job markets, or other areas.

13. More about the questions in the database What makes a good reflection question? What questions help writing to flow, and help participants to consolidate knowledge and expand ideas and insights?

14. Sample Reflection Questions from the Database Write a list…. Suppose you were creating a poster about "do`s and don`ts" for your workplace with safety rules, confidentiality rules, workplace ethics and other things. List 5-10 things that should be included. List five questions you would ask if you were a manager interviewing someone to work at this organization. Why did you choose these questions? List ten tips for "interacting with others" in a workplace. (This can focus on any of the following -- working with co-workers, customers, clients, patients in a hospital, children in a summer program, pets in a veterinary hospital, etc.) Write a list…. Suppose you were creating a poster about "do`s and don`ts" for your workplace with safety rules, confidentiality rules, workplace ethics and other things. List 5-10 things that should be included. List five questions you would ask if you were a manager interviewing someone to work at this organization. Why did you choose these questions? List ten tips for "interacting with others" in a workplace. (This can focus on any of the following -- working with co-workers, customers, clients, patients in a hospital, children in a summer program, pets in a veterinary hospital, etc.) One technique for getting writing to flow is to write a list. For example, “list ten tips” or “list five questions.”

15. Sample Reflection Questions from the Database Opinion questions … Gardening is becoming increasingly popular, with rising focus on health, good food, environment and community. Do you think the new popularity of gardening will create more gardening-related career opportunities? Discuss. For many people, gardening is a love-it-or-hate- it activity. Some people love to garden; others just don't like it at all. With the rising popularity of gardening and healthy foods, do you think more "non-gardening" people will become gardeners? Why or why not? What new technology, tools and equipment do you think this workplace could have in one year, five years, or twenty years? Opinion questions … Gardening is becoming increasingly popular, with rising focus on health, good food, environment and community. Do you think the new popularity of gardening will create more gardening-related career opportunities? Discuss. For many people, gardening is a love-it-or-hate- it activity. Some people love to garden; others just don't like it at all. With the rising popularity of gardening and healthy foods, do you think more "non-gardening" people will become gardeners? Why or why not? What new technology, tools and equipment do you think this workplace could have in one year, five years, or twenty years? Another approach for getting writing to flow is to answer questions that ask for your opinions, predictions or analysis; especially if the questions don’t imply that you “ought to” think a certain way!!

16. Sample Reflection Questions from the Database Scenario questions … Think of a controversial issue related to your field of work. Write a brief dialogue between two people who hold opposing viewpoints on this issue. Suppose that you are interviewing for a job. The interviewer says "We need people who are very reliable." What can you say about your attendance and work style to tell the interviewer that you are a reliable worker? Suppose you were writing a guide to troubleshooting issues, problems or challenges that commonly come up in this work. What would be the three most important issues that you would write about? Scenario questions … Think of a controversial issue related to your field of work. Write a brief dialogue between two people who hold opposing viewpoints on this issue. Suppose that you are interviewing for a job. The interviewer says "We need people who are very reliable." What can you say about your attendance and work style to tell the interviewer that you are a reliable worker? Suppose you were writing a guide to troubleshooting issues, problems or challenges that commonly come up in this work. What would be the three most important issues that you would write about? Another technique for getting writing to flow is to imagine a particular scenario – such as a job interview, dialogue, writing project or presentation.

17. Sample Reflection Questions from the Database Empowering questions … Picture yourself in ten years. What is your leadership style like now? Describe a problem that you have faced at work; one that you have not been able to solve yet, despite trying many options. Briefly list – WHAT ELSE could you do to approach this problem? Imagine that you could have any job in this organization. What job would you choose? Why did you choose this job? Empowering questions … Picture yourself in ten years. What is your leadership style like now? Describe a problem that you have faced at work; one that you have not been able to solve yet, despite trying many options. Briefly list – WHAT ELSE could you do to approach this problem? Imagine that you could have any job in this organization. What job would you choose? Why did you choose this job? Empowering questions are questions that naturally guide you to think about possibilities. Questions often begin with “imagine” or “picture” or “what else.”

18. Consolidating & expanding Questions may ask you to … Summarize – What did you do? Describe – Can you give an example of an experience, accomplishment, etc.? List – Can you list 5-10 ideas, tips, questions….? Predict – What do you think will happen? Analyze – what are the specific skills involved in this job? Evaluate – Evaluate, compare and contrast different points of view Imagine – What skills/accomplishments would you like to attain? Set Goals– What will your next steps be? Questions may ask you to … Summarize – What did you do? Describe – Can you give an example of an experience, accomplishment, etc.? List – Can you list 5-10 ideas, tips, questions….? Predict – What do you think will happen? Analyze – what are the specific skills involved in this job? Evaluate – Evaluate, compare and contrast different points of view Imagine – What skills/accomplishments would you like to attain? Set Goals– What will your next steps be?

19. Do you have ideas for additional reflection questions? When you use the reflection worksheet button to edit your reflection you can edit the question as well as your answer. And you can email suggestions for questions to jleonard@skillslibrary.com When you use the reflection worksheet button to edit your reflection you can edit the question as well as your answer. And you can email suggestions for questions to jleonard@skillslibrary.com

20. Questions and Suggestions? Email any questions and suggestions to Jennifer Leonard at jleonard@skillslibrary.com