As you are learning, creating high-quality learning environments is not simple. There are many things to consider, plan, and do. But as you learned in Week 1,

Reflection in Action

[WLO: 5] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4]

As you are learning, creating high-quality learning environments is not simple. There are many things to consider, plan, and do. But as you learned in Week 1, the learning environment you create affects every aspect of a child’s growth and development. An important part of our role as professionals in creating high-quality learning environments is taking the time to reflect on the strategies we know, link that prior knowledge to new knowledge, and plan how we will move our knowledge into action. This journal will help you do each of these three important things.

To prepare for this journal,

• Read Toward Inclusive Learning Spaces: Physiological, Cognitive, and Cultural Inclusion and the Learning Space Rating SystemLinks to an external site..

Your Reflection in Action journal has two parts.Part 1: Course and Program Reflection

• Describe at least two concepts or ideas you gained from previous courses that have helped you so far in this class. Be sure to identify which course(s) you learned them in and how that knowledge has supported you in this course.
• Explain how your views on creating positive learning environments that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive have changed by taking this course.

Part 2: Career and Personal Reflection

• Explain how your understanding of developmental domains and play will support your ability to create high-quality learning environments.
• Analyze your role in creating high-quality learning environments and how prepared you feel at this point in your learning to create such an environment.

Journal Options: (Do one or the other.)

• Write a reflection journal.
• Create a VokiLinks to an external site..

Suggested Journal Length:

• One to two double-spaced pages (not including title and reference pages).

Integrative and Critical Thinking Expectations (demonstrated within the content of the journal):

• Connections to Experience: Meaningfully synthesizes connections among experiences both inside and outside of coursework to deepen understanding of fields of study and to broaden your own points of view.
• Reflection and Self-Assessment: Envisions a future self (and possibly makes plans that build on past experiences) that have occurred across multiple and diverse contexts.

Research and Resource Expectations:

• Sources are not required for your journal assignments. However, if you need to cite information, you must cite in APA format and include a reference page. You may refer to the APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site. and the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resources available in the Writing Center for further assistance.

Writing and Formatting Expectations:

• Professional Reflective Voice: Journals may be written in a less formal but still professional voice (avoids casual language). First-person voice is encouraged. Refer to the First vs. Third PersonLinks to an external site. guide created by the Writing Center for further assistance.
• Organization: Demonstrates logical progression of ideas.
• Syntax and Mechanics: Writing displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• APA Formatting: Papers are formatted properly and all sources (if used) are cited and referenced in APA Style as outlined in the Introduction to APALinks to an external site..