Reflection connects past and potential future learning experiences by examining the learning process. It occurs in cyclical phases of discovery, maintenance, and application. Promoting purposeful reflection among learners involves providing structured time for peer collaboration, where students can strategically solve problems and foster each other's reflection. When all group members participate appropriately, the collaborative reflective process is fulfilled.

1. How to Use Reflection Effectively in the Online Environment Reflection

2. Social Learning Perspective A collection of observable behaviors. Organized based on observable perspectives. Relates to the situational environment people experience (Mearns, 2009). Will relate to changes observed in individuals in group situations. A model that changes over time (Blackmore, 2010). As applied to reflection, change may be situation-based.

3. The Role of Reflection The role of reflection. Reflection is a search for connections (Zubizarreta, 2009). Reflection is a form of mental processing. Must be purposeful. The purpose of reflection is to improve the learning process. Both learners and facilitators benefit from purposeful reflection. Must be specific. Vague reflection is empty and serves no true purpose. The more specific the feedback is, the greater impact reflection can have.

4. Promoting Reflection Cyclical process Reflection is present in both the practice and application stages of the learning process. Phases of reflection (Li, Day & Forlizzi, 2011). Discovery: identified with asking History, Goals, Context, and Factors questions. Maintenance: identified with asking Status and Discrepancy questions. Promoting reflection Proper reflection will facilitate awareness for the need of continued practice.

5. Reflection and Learner Collaboration Built-in structure Provide a structured time for collaboration. Peer pedagogy (Ching & Kafai, 2008) Interaction among peer groups to strategically solve problems. Emphasize the social nature Learners will find a way to reflect throughout a collaborative session. The end result When all group members participate appropriately, the process will be fulfilled.

6. Summary Reflection’s Role Connections between past and potential learning experiences. Promoting Reflection Examine the process. Recognize the phases. Focus on awareness. Collaboration Peer-mediated process engages and fosters reflection.

7. References Blackmore, C. (2010). Social learning systems and communities of practice. New York, NY: Springer Ching, C. & Kafai, Y. (2008). Peer pedagogy: Student collaboration and reflection in a learning-through-design project. Teachers College Record (110), 2601-2632. Hogset, H. & Barrett, C. (2010). Social learning, social influence, and projection bias: A caution on inferences based on proxy-reporting of peer behavior. Economic Development and Cultural Change. 58(3).

8. References Li, I., Day, A. & Forlizzi, J. (2011). Understanding my data, myself: Supporting self-reflection with Ubicomp Technologies. Retrieved from http://ianli.com/publications/2011-ianli-ubicomp-understanding-my-data.pdf Mearns, J. (2009). Social learning theory. In H. Reis & S. Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of human relationships (vol. 3) (pp. 1537-1540). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Zubizarreta, J. (2009). The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning, Second Edition. New York, NY: Jossey-Bass.