Why do we do projects? The skills learned through project work are invaluable life skills. Each of the stages develops important cognitive pathways through building academic, social and emotional skills. It is important to make the most of the investment of time and energy by reflecting on the process and what has been learned. With projects, it’s all about the process.
Here are some key questions you can use:
- WHAT happened?
- SO what?
- NOW what?
More detailed questions can be:
- What was your project about?
- What has been the most challenging thing about working on this project (so far)?
- What has been the most satisfying thing about it?
- What advice would you give teachers who want to do this project again with their students?
- What advice would you give other students just starting on this project?
Some methods students can use to reflect:
- a blog/diary during the project;
- Flipgrid reflections during and/or after in response to questions;
- a GC Question, allowing responses to each other;
- mindmaps, drawings, infographics;
- a mentimeter;
- a Google Survey.
By reflecting intentionally, both students and teachers can learn valuable lessons from the project process.
Farber, Katy. “8 Methods for Reflection in Project-Based Learning.” Innovative Education in VT, 2 Oct. 2018, www.tiie.w3.uvm.edu/blog/reflection-in-project-based-learning
The Importance of Student Reflection in PBL, www.blog.definedlearning.com/blog/student-reflection-in-pbl
Parsons, Charity. “PBL in the Mirror: Planning for Student Reflection.” PBLWorks, 19 Apr. 2017, www.pblworks.org/blog/pbl-mirror-planning-student-reflection