Active learning requires students to self-reflect, through journaling or discussion, by analyzing their learning processes, experiences, and outcomes to improve future performance. It involves utilizing journalistic questions—Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why (and not necessarily in that order)—to develop their critical thinking about their educational journey.
Journalistic Questions for Active Reflection:
- What: What did I learn? What went well, and what could be done better? What was the goal?
- How: How did I accomplish this? How did I feel about the task? How did I handle challenges?
- Why: Why is this important? Why did I choose this strategy? Why did I struggle to receive feedback?
- Who: Who helped me? Who did I work together with? Who was engaged in this experience?
- When: When did I lose focus
- When did the discovery occur? When will I apply this in the future?
- Where: Where did I confront a problem? Where can I use this knowledge next?
The above highlights regarding self-reflection remind me that they would be found under "create" (higher-level functioning) within Bloom's Taxonomy.
