Reflection in e-learning

How do you apply reflection in e-learning?

During e-learning, students acquire a great deal of knowledge. They read articles, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and absorb the information.

Naturally, as a company, you don't want it to stop there. If you invest in the professional development of your employees, you want them to translate that knowledge into practice.

How do they apply the acquired knowledge and skills in their daily work?

Reflection is an important part of learning. During reflection, students pause to consider how they are applying the knowledge they have gained, which skills they are using, and how they feel about it. Reflection helps in making the crucial transition from theory to practice.

How do you apply reflection in e-learning?

Active thinking

When you challenge students to think actively, they are much more likely to remember the course material.

For example, consider posting a statement for students to discuss, a link to a related news event, or links to social media channels where the topic is being discussed or debated.

Asking open-ended questions also encourages reflection on what the student has learned and how they apply it in their own life.

Having students find practical examples themselves is also an effective way to bridge the gap from passive knowledge absorption to active thinking.

Reflecting together

The course material truly comes to life when students reflect on it together. This can be done in several ways.

For instance, present the students with a practical problem, divide them into small groups, and have them solve it.

When the small groups then share their solutions with each other, a valuable exchange takes place.

During this exchange, students are likely to be confronted with different ways of thinking and alternative approaches.

This prompts reflection on their own knowledge and skills and encourages them to think outside the box.

Reflecting in a blog

A blog is a valuable tool for reflection. Students can post their contributions in an accessible way, and fellow students can easily provide feedback. The student then applies this feedback to their next blog post.

This also creates a portfolio at the same time, in which the student's growth is clearly visible. 

You can also use a blog to post a case study that students then respond to.

Visualizing

“Mapping out your learning” can be difficult for many students—it is, after all, a somewhat vague assignment. Still, there are many ways to have students visualize their “learning journey.”

For example, they can keep a “logbook” in which they note when they work on which topic, which sources they consult, which questions they had while learning, and how they then answered them, etc.

This way, students also have a clear view of their own progress and can call in help in time if they get stuck.

Another way to visualize a learning process, or for example a brainstorming session, is by creating mind maps. The teacher can start an online mind map by placing a topic or statement in the center, and students can then add their own ideas, questions, sources, illustrations, etc. A mind map then becomes a creative representation (and a valuable reflection) of the group's thinking. 

Photo collages are also very well suited to this and are just a little more personal than a mind map.

Self-assessment

Students often want to know where they stand.

• Are they on the right track?
• Are they on schedule?
• Are they focusing on the right topics and information? 

Interim feedback moments are a valuable way to reflect on learning along the way. 

These feedback moments can take different forms. Think of an interim quiz, for example.

When a student answers a question incorrectly, it is important that immediate feedback is then available—for example, by showing the correct answer right away and offering sources where the student can find more information and clarification on this topic.

Another example is splitting up assignments. Do students hand in one large assignment at the end of the training? Then have them submit smaller partial assignments along the way, on which you then give feedback.

That way, students know exactly where they still need to adjust in order to ultimately achieve a good result. 

Practical examples and practice scenarios

Offering practical examples and practice scenarios is perhaps the best way to make the leap from theoretical knowledge to practical skills.

When students are presented with a real-life scenario, it immediately becomes clear where they feel confident in their skills and knowledge and where they don't yet.

That is why it is also important here not to wait until the end of the training to offer practical examples. 

Doing a role play is an effective way to practice practical skills. Think of conducting conversations with customers, practicing  management skills, holding bad-news conversations, etc. These role plays are recorded and fellow students then give feedback.

Reflection is therefore an important part of learning. E-learning offers students different ways to reflect on their learning process and to switch effectively between theory and practice. 

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