Assignment Overview

 Through this assignment, which will repeat across the semester with different topics, you will reflect on how your past and current experiences have shaped your perceptions, values, and beliefs.

Your reflections should demonstrate an examination of how learning experiences (formal and informal) shaped you as an individual and a pre-service educator.  You are encouraged to use specific examples to support your thinking. Strong reflections will demonstrate your self-awareness and your ability to question your own biases, stereotypes, preconceptions, and/or assumptions. You may include references to the connected homework reading if it is relevant to the ideas you are writing about; however, this is not required.

 Assignment Requirements

 Reflection should be typed (Times New Roman font), double-spaced, and 2-3 pages (approximately 750 words).

Assignments will be assessed holistically using the following criteria: Clarity, Relevance, Analysis, and Critical Self-Reflection (see rubric). Writing should also be free of errors in grammar and conventions.

Assignment Topic & Guiding Questions

Reflection #2: Culture of Students

Before You Write:

1. Take the Project Implicit Assessment at implicit.harvard.edu Links to an external site. (use this link to select your test). At minimum, complete the Race IAT Assessment; however, you may choose to take others and incorporate your results in your reflection.

2. Choose a Pictorial Metaphor to represent race.

Required Questions:

1. How does this picture represent race to you?
2. Generally reflect on your experience with the Project Implicit Assessment.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

How was race discussed in your home? Gender? Culture of others?

How does your race impact the way in which you interact with the world (where you shop, dine, spend recreational time)?

Do you create space for sometimes difficult conversations about current events and culture?

Thinking about the content of a lesson you have experienced as a student, how were some students privileged over others based on their experiences? How were some students oppressed?

Do you think your teachers made it a priority to build and maintain relationships with you and your classmates? How could you tell?

You may also download the assignment directions here: Structured Written Reflection #2 Overview & Rubric Download Structured Written Reflection #2 Overview & Rubric