Congratulations on having completed an approved experiential learning activity. Your next task is to reflect on what you have learned by writing 1000-word essay. Reflection is the element that transforms an experience into a learning experience, so you will be able to get the most value out of your experience by writing the best possible reflection and getting feedback from your advisor/instructor.
Your paper should be written as though you were submitting in a professional environment. Because it is a personal reflection, the use of first-person is allowed. Sign up for Grammarly Premium through the library and/or work with a writing advisor if you need help writing this essay. Please make sure you honestly assess your experience since there are not “right or wrong” answers to the prompts. The value of the essay comes from your identification and understanding of the essential career skills you have gained.
To help you write this paper, please follow the outline below and address all of the topics described in the bullet points below:
Reflection Paper Outline
I. Introduction (1 paragraph). Briefly inform the reader of the Experiential Learning Activity you took part in by describing:
The name, date(s), and location(s) of the experiential learning event you participated in
A brief overview of the organization’s mission and how it fits with your goals.
A description of the specific activities and responsibilities you took part in that were related to the learning outcomes identified in advance for this activity.
II. Essential Career Skills Developed (3-5 paragraphs). Analyze your experience in terms of the essential career skills you developed during your Experiential Learning activity in the following categories:
A. Problem solving
Describe problems you may have encountered and how you solved them
Provide examples of instances where you used creative or innovative initiatives
B. Interpersonal skills
Explain how this experience may have improved your self-confidence, helped you with time management skills, and/or taught you about relationship building and teamwork
Provide examples of how your ethical leadership skills were developed in accordance with the mission of St. Thomas University
C. Technical skills
Identify the primary technical skills you acquired pertaining to your major or field and how these skills may help you in your future career (e.g., new technology or software, technology design/programming, lab management, etc.).
Name any certifications you earned during your experiential learning event
III. Reflection (3-5 paragraphs). Reflect upon this particular experiential learning experience. Elaborate on the relationship the experiential learning event has to your course of studies and/or future field or career:
Describe to what degree your initial expectations/goals/learning outcomes were met
Describe how the essential career skills you developed have value for your major or field of study.
Describe how your experience encouraged you to continue your career path in this direction. If you learned through this experience that you would not like to pursue this career in the future, that is a valid answer as well.
Give an example of how the essential career skills you developed may be transferable to other situations, including both within and outside of academia
Describe any essential career skills that you did not develop during your Experiential Learning event that you
IV. Conclusion (1 paragraph). Summarize the most important outcomes you will take away from your experience.
Submission Instructions:
The paper is to be written using clear and concise language. Students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation and misspelling.
Include a title page that the title “Experiential Learning Reflective Essay,” your name, the date, and the name of your instructor.
Using headings that match those in the outline in the instructions is an effective way to organize your essay.
Papers should be written in Microsoft Word, double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font.
All margins should be set to 1″.
Paragraphs should be left-justified with the first sentence of each paragraph indented by 0.5″.
The paper should be approximately 1000 words in length, excluding the title page.
Attention: Submit the assignment by 11:59 PM ET Friday.
Late work policies and other expectations are at the discretion of the instructor.
Scoring:
Distinguished = 9.0-10.0
Satisfactory = 7.0-8.9
Unsatisfactory = 0.0-6.9
Reflective Essay
Reflective Essay
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePresentation
Articulation and organization of ideas and perspectives.
2.0 total points possible
2 to >1.8 pts
Distinguished
Writing is well-focused; arguments or perspectives are precisely defined and explained; coherent flow in developing an insightful idea demonstrated. Essay is free of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors.
1.8 to >1.34 pts
Satisfactory
Arguments or perspectives are clearly stated; the writing may lack in organization and/or be hard to follow. May include some grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
1.34 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Do not show any original thinking or perspectives; chaotic in organization and presentation of ideas. Contains several grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors.
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCompleteness
Incorporation of all the guidelines into the essay:
Name; Date of event; Name of event; Location of event; Overview of organization mission; Specific responsibilities,
Included Reflections on Problem Solving Career Skills, Interpersonal Career Skills, and Technical Career Skills.
An Introduction and Conclusion were evident as well.
2.0 total points possible
2 to >1.8 pts
Distinguished
Concrete answers to all guidelines demonstrating clear steps in the developmental learning process
1.8 to >1.35 pts
Satisfactory
Followed most of the guidelines; but development gained from the learning process is not clearly observed
1.35 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Followed guidelines poorly. The entries are mere descriptions rather than showing a sequence of learning steps
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflection: Problem Solving
Ability to integrate essential career skills that may include: problem identification, solution development, creative or innovative initiatives, and/or other relevant problem solving skills.
2.0 total points possible
2 to >1.8 pts
Distinguished
Able to proficiently demonstrate reflection and critical thinking about problem solving skills used during experiential event, including clear description of problem(s) encountered, appropriate solutions are developed, and examples of creative or innovative initiatives are included.
1.8 to >1.35 pts
Satisfactory
Shows satisfactory reflection and critical thinking about problem solving skills developed during experiential event. Description of problem(s) encountered may be unclear, solutions may not be appropriate, and/or examples of creative or innovative initiatives may not be present.
1.35 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Only includes mere descriptions of reflection and critical thinking about problem solving skills developed during experiential event. Description of problem(s) encountered are unclear or not present, solutions are not appropriate, and/or examples of creative or innovative initiatives are not discussed.
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflection – Interpersonal Skills
Ability to integrate essential career skills that may include: ethical leadership, social influence, resilience, relationship building, dependability, integrity, honesty, self-confidence, positive attitude, teamwork, time management, collaboration, or other relevant interpersonal skills.
2.0 total points possible
2 to >1.8 pts
Distinguished
Able to proficiently demonstrate reflection and critical thinking about interpersonal skills used during experiential event, including clear description of specific skills that were developed. Specific examples are used to amplify description of growth of the skill. Ethical leadership skills are evident in reflection.
1.8 to >1.35 pts
Satisfactory
Shows satisfactory reflection and critical thinking about interpersonal skills developed during experiential event. Specific examples may or may not amplify description of growth of the skill. Ethical leadership skills may or may not be evident in reflection.
1.35 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Only includes mere descriptions of reflection and critical thinking about interpersonal skills developed during experiential event. Specific examples are not used to amplify description of growth of the skill. Ethical leadership skills are not evident in reflection.
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReflection – Technical Skills
Ability to integrate essential career skills that may include: use of technologies or software, technology design/programming, lab management, techniques specific to field, combination of previously learned technical skills in new ways, or other technical skills.
2.0 total points possible
2 to >1.8 pts
Distinguished
Able to proficiently demonstrate reflection and critical thinking about technical skills used during experiential event, including clear description of specific skills that were developed. Specific examples are used to amplify description of growth of the skill. Description of certifications earned during experiential event are included if applicable.
1.8 to >1.35 pts
Satisfactory
Shows satisfactory reflection and critical thinking about technical skills developed during experiential event. Specific examples may or may not amplify description of growth of the skill. Description of certifications gained from event (if applicable) may not be evident in reflection.
1.35 to >0 pts
Unsatisfactory
Only includes mere descriptions of reflection and critical thinking about technical skills developed during experiential event. Specific examples are not used to amplify description of growth of the skill. Description of certifications gained through experience (if applicable) are not described.
2 pts
Total Points: 10
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