reflection log

The reflection log is designed to encourage self-reflection and self-evaluation. It is a tool for the student to reflect on specific field activities and experiences. The student is challenged to analyze the field learning experience from both a personal and professional perspective. Using a critical thinking model, the student must examine his/her work performance and apply social work knowledge, values and skills to understand and evaluate their performance.

The instructor will provide written feedback to the students. It is at the student’s discretion whether they share their logs with their field site supervisor. In order to protect confidentiality, please do not use any client names in the log. The reflection log is not a substitute for supervision and the students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with their field supervisor.

The logs should be no longer than two pages double-spaced, and no shorter than 1 page; at least one paragraph should be devoted to each section of the assignment. You should provide headings for each section of the log so the instructor can clearly tell each section apart.

Choose one meaningful situation/task/experience to explore critically in your log. This should be an important experience that you can explore in-depth—note that sometimes, very brief interactions can be very meaningful, and that in-depth exploration is possible with even if the situation/task/experience was not lengthy. While this situation doesn’t need to be an ethical dilemma, it should be an experience that has impacted your learning and your development as a professional social worker.

Description: This is the section of the log where you will provide the information about what occurred. Describe in detail the situation/task/experience that happened in the field placement. This should be a significant and/or meaningful experience that you can explore critically. Talk about what occurred and your actions in the situation.

Evaluation/Critical Thinking: This is the section of the log where you will review your actions (or the situation as a whole) and think critically about how the situation/task/experience occurred. Looking back on this situation, how do you feel about how it was resolved? What were you happy about? What would you improve? How would you change your response in the future?

Next Steps: This is the section of the log where you will connect this experience to future interactions, your learning, or the profession as a whole. How could you bring this situation to supervision? How will this situation impact your internship as you move forward? What could you learn/practice in the future to improve in this area?