Reflecting
Reflecting is the part of inquiry where learners look back on what they have done, think about what they have learned, and plan what to do next.
Look back and think forward
Reflection is not just about saying what happened. It is about noticing what you learned, what was challenging, how you grew, and what you would do differently next time.
Use reflection questions
Good reflection uses thoughtful questions to look back, understand your learning, and plan what to do next. Use these starters to guide your thinking.
Reflection question
What have I learned about my topic?
Reflection question
What skills have I developed during this inquiry?
Reflection question
What have I learned about the inquiry process?
Reflection question
What were the most challenging parts?
Reflection question
How did my thinking about the topic change?
Reflection question
What would I do differently next time?
Ways to reflect well
These tips help you reflect honestly and meaningfully, so reflection becomes useful for your learning and future inquiries.
Look back carefully
Think about what happened, what you did, and what you learned. Notice both successes and moments that were hard.
Be honest, not perfect
Reflection is about honest thinking, not showing only the best parts. It is okay to admit what did not work well.
Connect to learning
Link your reflection back to your inquiry questions, goals, and what you understood at different stages.
Think forward too
Use reflection to decide what you would change next time and what new questions or actions might come from this inquiry.
Helpful reflection tools
Use simple structures and routines to help your thinking become visible, organised, and easier to build on in future inquiries.
Reflection questions
Use guided questions to look back on what you learned, what was challenging, and how you grew as a learner.
Before-and-after
Compare what you thought or knew at the start with what you understand now to see your growth clearly.
Learning journal
Keep a short written record of your thoughts, decisions, challenges, and insights across the inquiry.
Next-step plan
After reflection, write down what you would do differently and what new questions or goals you want to pursue.
Activities to reflect
These quick ideas can help you reflect in a structured way, see your growth clearly, and plan meaningful next steps.
What, how, so what
Write: What happened? How did I feel or react? So what does this mean for my learning or next steps?
Growth checklist
List 3 things you can do now that you could not do before this inquiry started.
Challenge map
Identify one main challenge, how you handled it, and what you would try next time.
Future questions
Write 2–3 new inquiry questions that emerged from this learning and that you want to explore further.
Close the cycle, open the next one
Before finishing this inquiry, ask: What is the most important thing I learned? What would I do differently next time? Which new questions do I want to explore? A good reflecting stage helps you see your growth and gives you direction for the next inquiry.
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