Module 8: Reflections (Core)

To discover and reflect on the workplace as a learning environment. (CCT)

Learning Objectives	Notes
8.1 To introduce reflective journals as a tool for analyzing work or other experiences.	Students will brainstorm and imagine occupations related to each subject in which they are enrolled. Students list five people who are currently employed, identify their jobs and list subjects or courses related to each job. Students may wish to refer to the online publications from Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training. These can be found on the SaskNetWork website listed in the bibliography. Students may conduct an interview with a parent, neighbour, relative or friend to find out how the work they do relates to various subjects or courses. Students may share their findings with classmates, either in small or large groups. Introduce the concept of reflective journals and encourage regular journal entries. Students write in their reflective journals and record the successes and the challenges they have encountered. Students write their own definition of success and give examples of situations in which people have been successful, according to their definition. Students write about the challenges to achievement and employment that they may have encountered. Issues related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and appearance may be discussed here. Discuss strategies for dealing with discrimination at the workplace. Students brainstorm solutions to overcoming barriers. They may create a story or video in which the characters encounter obstacles or barriers. In developing the story, they may predict the options available in the situation and possible outcomes. Students may wish to discuss their personal experiences in overcoming obstacles and in taking risks.
8.2 To reflect on the work placement. (CCT)	Focus on reflecting. During and following work placements, students may write about their placements using log sheets (see sample template in Appendix E). These may be included in their reflective journal. Consider the following suggestions for student reflection and discussion: Identify the impact of the community work experience on their career and personal planning Identify the impact of their work experiences on their personal interests, skills, values, beliefs and attitudes Update their personal career portfolio Identify additions to their community network Identify employability skills that were important at their community work experience In addition, a number of activities may follow each work experience: each student should write a letter of thanks to the participating partners; the class may produce a picture collage of community experiences; each student could report on personal experiences in format of his or her choice (e.g., print, written, oral or multi-media).