How to Deepen Learning through Critical Reflection

Engaging Students In Reflection

A college education is about more than just accumulating knowledge.

To reach deeper levels of understanding, a student must be able to construct meaning out of a purposeful combination of experiences and academic materials.

All too often, however, academic depth is sacrificed to breadth.

When the main learning goal is to cover as much material in a semester as possible, it’s not surprising that profound critical thinking goals tends to be glossed over in favor of more superficial learning objectives.

Critical reflection is one of the best ways to overcome this common problem.

When intentionally and carefully designed, critical reflection activities motivate students to “dig deep” and to engage in the intensive process of analyzing, reconsidering, and questioning academic experiences and content knowledge.

Barbara Jacoby, Ph.D. explains how understanding in every subject can be enhanced through the incorporation of meaningful critical reflection activities. She describes the steps involved in designing critical reflection course components and explain how these strategies can lead to the achievement of desired learning outcomes.

She also addresses the common misconception that reflection activities are “touchy-feely” exercises lacking in academic rigor and provide clear guidance on how to facilitate and assess the learning gained through critical reflection exercises.

How to Deepen Learning through Critical Reflection covers:

How to design intentional critical reflection course activities
What critical reflection is and is not
Matching reflective exercises to course-based learning outcomes
Effective strategies for engaging students in reflection
Facilitation methods
How reflection can address the “big questions” in a discipline
The role of reflection in questioning prior knowledge and assumptions
Using reflection to challenge simplistic conclusions
Opening students to transformative learning and the multiplicity of perspectives
How service-learning and experiential learning offer reflective opportunities
Producing evidence of learning for evaluation purposes

We also include critical reflection case studies to demonstrate its application in specific course scenarios.

Who will benefit from this seminar?

Recommended for all campus professionals concerned with deepening the learning achieved at your institution, including:

Faculty members in all disciplines
Faculty involved in service-learning and other experiential learning courses
Faculty, academic administrators, and student affairs professionals who coordinate internships, service-learning, and study abroad opportunities
Faculty trainers
Directors and staff of Centers of Teaching and Learning
Student affairs professionals
Directors and staff of service-learning, community service, and civic engagement offices or programs
Campus ministers and leadership educators

Your presenter

Barbara Jacoby, Ph.D. is Senior Scholar for the Adele H. Stamp Student Union–Center for Campus Life at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is also a Fellow of the University’s Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and was a Center for Teaching Excellence–Lilly Fellow during the 2007-08 academic year. Dr. Jacoby writes and consults extensively and makes numerous speeches and presentations across the country. She is the author of six books, including Looking In, Reaching Out: A Reflective Guide for Community Service-Learning.

Includes a Discussion Guide for Facilitators

Viewing a Magna Online Seminar on CD as a team can help leverage unique insights, foster collaboration, and build momentum for change. This seminar includes a Discussion Guide for Facilitators which provides step-by-step instructions for generating productive discussions and thoughtful reflection. You also get guidelines for continuing the conversation after the event, implementing the strategies discussed, and creating a feedback loop for sharing best practices and challenges.

TO ORDER: How to Deepen Learning through Critical Reflection