Critical Reflection (Environmental Education)
Breakdown of Marks (10 marks):
1. Summary (minimum one page) – 3 marks
The summary section of your paper should cover at least 75% of the materials covered in class under the theme you select. Refer to the course outline for the four main themes; you can choose two of the four themes for your critical reflections. Materials include assigned readings, lectures, in-class readings, guest presentations, briefs, videos, small group discussion, whole-class discussions and anything else covered in a class or lab. The summary should be a synthesis of the materials and not just a listing of what happened or direct quotes from the materials. The summary is to be written in the form of a paragraph, NOT bullet points. The summary should be written in a clear and concise manner that is both logical and easy to read and that has a narrative flow (beginning, middle and end).
2. Critical Analysis (minimum one page) – 3 marks
The critical analysis section should cover at least three ideas/subjects that were covered in the summary. Each idea/subject should be written in one paragraph. DO NOT summarize in this section. Critical analysis should include your opinions, alternative approaches or perspectives on the idea/subject; connections to other ideas/subjects; and/or weighing-in on both sides of the idea/subject. The argument you make ought to be supported by logic and reason. Feel free to state opinions that are different from what you have learned in class, you will not be penalized for having differing opinions; in fact, we encourage it. The critical analysis should be written in a clear and concise manner that is both logical and easy to read, and again that has a narrative flow.
3. Reflection (minimum one page) – 3 marks
This section of the paper provides the opportunity for you to make connections between course materials and personal life experiences. Note that reflection is NOT a summary and/or description of course materials or your opinions. And it is not yet more critical analysis. Instead, you are asked to link your understanding of course materials to your own life experiences (in and outside the classroom), thus demonstrating how your perspectives and worldviews have helped shape your understanding of the course material. This makes your writing unique from others in the class and affirms the experiences that you brought into the class. Use the three questions below to guide you in the reflection process. Note that these questions are NOT the only means you can critically reflect.
a. What (have I learned from the readings, lectures, videos, etc.)?
b. So what (does what I have learned mean to me)?
c. Now what (am I going to do with or about what I have learned or read)?
This section should consist of three topics/experiences that are connected to what you have already written and should be logically written. You are encouraged to make connections that were not directly discussed in class. Support your perspective with personal anecdotes and experiences.
4. General – 1mark
The overall structure and quality of your work will be considered in awarding marks. We evaluate how the three sections of your paper relate/connect, clarity of thought, grammatical errors and/or omissions, and whether you adhere to instructions.
5. Please Note: Your paper should NOT be less than three pages and NOT more than four pages long. Your reference or bibliography list should be appended and so does NOT count towards your page length. Please use 11-point font, 1.5 spacing, and regular margins. Please also note that you can write the document as three distinct subsections (i.e. summary, critical analysis, reflection) where you locate the three topics within each of these or you can have three ideas/topics and then integrate the three components (ie, summary, critical analysis and reflection) within each of those. You might find the first approach is easiest, but then try the second approach for the second critical reflection since it will likely make for a more effective argument.
