What is Self-Reflection & Why Does it Matter? | PATHS

Summary

This video script highlights the importance of self-reflection in the learning process. It explains how self-reflection allows students to examine their actions and experiences, gaining valuable insights that can drive transformative changes. The script introduces the 'What? So What? Now What?' framework as a structured method to reflect on experiences. It emphasizes that self-reflection fosters skills like self-awareness, critical thinking, and decision-making, essential for academic and professional success. Regular practice, including journaling and feedback, is encouraged to develop reflection skills and achieve continuous improvement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal and academic growth, helping you make transformative changes based on your experiences.
• 😀 The process of self-reflection involves three key steps: 'What? So What? Now What?' which help you examine, analyze, and apply insights.
• 😀 'What?' involves defining and describing the experience or situation you are reflecting on.
• 😀 'So What?' encourages you to analyze the significance of the experience and how it connects to your learning or personal growth.
• 😀 'Now What?' involves identifying insights from the experience and deciding on actionable steps for improvement or change.
• 😀 Self-reflection helps avoid reinforcing stereotypes and oversimplifying complex issues by encouraging deeper analysis.
• 😀 Regular practice of self-reflection improves critical thinking, problem-solving, self-awareness, and communication skills.
• 😀 Self-reflection is not just about looking back, but about using those insights to guide future decisions and actions.
• 😀 Setting aside time for thoughtful reflection, such as in a quiet space or through journaling, helps deepen your understanding.
• 😀 Feedback from others can enhance your self-reflection process and help you refine your learning and growth strategies.
• 😀 Reflecting on course content, real-world examples, and your assumptions promotes a deeper connection between learning and the real world.

Q & A

What is the definition of self-reflection according to the transcript?

Self-reflection is the process of examining oneself within a learning context to gain transformative insights that can be applied to future experiences.

How does self-reflection help students with their learning and academic success?

Self-reflection allows students to assess their learning processes, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary changes, which helps them overcome routine limitations and fosters academic growth.

What might happen if a person doesn't engage in self-reflection?

Without self-reflection, a person might miss opportunities to improve their learning methods and may reinforce stereotypes, offer simplistic solutions to complex problems, or generalize inaccurately based on limited data.

How can self-reflection be developed?

Self-reflection can be developed through practice and feedback, allowing individuals to refine their ability to reflect on experiences and improve learning.

What is the 'What? So What? Now What?' framework in self-reflection?

The 'What? So What? Now What?' framework is a reflective process where individuals first describe the experience ('What?'), then analyze its significance ('So What?'), and finally determine insights and future actions ('Now What?').

Why might the 'what' step be easier than the 'so what' or 'now what' steps in the reflective process?

The 'what' step is easier because it involves simply describing the experience, while the 'so what' and 'now what' steps require deeper analysis and contemplation, which can be more challenging.

What strategies can be used to help with the reflective process?

Setting aside time to think about the reflection questions, letting your mind wander about the experience, and even sketching or doodling your thoughts can help deepen the reflective process.

How does reflecting on multiple perspectives help in the learning process?

Reflecting on multiple perspectives encourages critical thinking, enhances self-awareness, and helps students make connections between course content and real-world experiences.

What additional skills can be developed through self-reflection exercises in class?

Self-reflection exercises can help develop self-awareness, the ability to make connections between course content and the real world, as well as improve analysis, communication, and critical thinking skills.

How can instructors assist students in engaging with self-reflection?

Instructors can prompt students to reflect on course content, real-world examples, or their own learning through activities such as surveys, written responses, or reflective journals, guiding them through the 'what, so what, now what' framework.