Benefits and Opportunities
Reflecting involves contemplating about what is happening in the world, the experiences of and with others, our role in society. In this section, you will find several questions that will help us explore the Benefits and Opportunities of incorporating the reflective process into our courses.
Why is Reflection Important?
■ It acts as a catalyst for learning.
■ It connects experiential and theoretical learning.
■ It fosters the development of cross-cutting or higher-order skills.
■ It generates greater commitment to service activities.
■ It gives meaning to the SL experience.
What Is Reflection?
Reflection in Service-Learning has been shown to offer multiple benefits for both theoretical learning and the development of various transversal or higher-order skills. For this to be effective, reflections must be well-planned with clear objectives and activities for the three stages of service (before, during, after) that ensure they are fulfilled. In other words, reflection is a strategy tailored to the specific characteristics of each course, designed to achieve every objective aimed at sensitising and raising awareness of the social realities addressed during the course, linking the theoretical aspects of the service, emphasising the social role of the profession, and enhancing the development of transversal skills.
What Is the Purpose of a Reflective Activity?
The purpose of reflective activities in Service-Learning courses is to assess the learning outcomes defined by each course, including its objectives, the development of higher-order skills and its contribution shaping students’ values —all of which align with the UC graduate profile. Reflective activities come in various formats depending on the target audience and the objectives to be achieved. For instance, an activity can last five minutes or more than an hour; it can take place in a classroom or outdoors; it may be based on a movie or a specific question; it could involve a reflective journal that spans the duration of the service, or a game played during class, and so on. The importance lies in its adaptability and contextualisation, as well as its ability to motivate and engage students’ attention.