value of reflective essay …critical to the success of portfolios –roberta camp and denise levine...

Value of Reflective Essay

• …critical to the success of portfolios

–Roberta Camp and Denise Levine

• “…the most important aspect of the portfolio process” – Kerry Weinbaum

• “…one of the most important and useful documents in the portfolio”

-- Peter Elbow

Value of the Reflective Essay

Why do these distinguished compositionists think the reflective

essay is so important?

Value of the Reflective Essay

• The reflective paper leads to community college learners taking responsibility for their own learning.

Value of Reflective Essay

• Two-way conversation• Students become

active participants in the academic discourse community.

Value of the Reflective Essay

• Students begin to think of themselves as writers rather than hoop-jumpers or homework factories.

Value of the Reflective Essay

• Pride in achievement• Reflection gives

opportunity to assess growth, to note strengths developed.

• Reflection generates forward momentum to continue work at higher level.

Possible Objections

• Imposed confession/power dynamic

• Time away from other class activities

• Not a model for business or professional writing

Value of Reflective Essay

• A final plus –

Evidence of learning in this time of increased emphasis on demonstrable outcomes