STUDENT REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT This self-reflection is worth 10% of the total mark. Due: Submit this assignment to onQ by August 28, 2020. Background Critical reflection is an integral component of experiential learning-the practicum experience. · Reflection includes astute observations rather than retelling the events or tasks of your practicum placement · Reflection is not simply an emotional outlet for feeling good about doing something or for feeling guilty about not doing more · Reflection is not an exercise that closes an experience; reflection is ongoing and provides more openings than closings. Adapted from www.servicelearning.org Guidelines for completing your reflection You should reflect, critically analyze, and synthesize your experiences. You must provide a well written narrative that applies to your practicum experience and how it relates to your professional development: Show evidence of in-depth reflection on: · the practicum experience, · application of coursework, . the PHAC and Organizational competencies which you identified in your Practicum Agreement and Learning Plan, . the deliverables you completed during your practicum, and · your values. QUESTIONS The Practicum Experience Question 1 What expectations did you have about your practicum? Do you have a different picture of your experience than you had before you began it? It was difficult to form solid expectations from the practicum experience given the unprecedented nature of COVID-19. Knowing what the practicum objectives were, I was expecting to learn about conducting a program evaluation, gaining experience as an evaluator, program developer and policy advocate, in a collaborative virtual setting. I expected to be collaborating with multiple internal and external stakeholders ranging from subject experts, other public health professionals and community members. Understanding that the work was remote, I expected it to be easy going as I assumed being at home would encourage me to approach my work with a calm attitude. Nearing the end of the practicum experience, I gained a different picture of my experience. The major change was in learning new ways of working through remote work; remote work brought forth new challenges with time management, keeping focus without added distraction of working from home and balancing work-off work life. I realized that I would have enjoyed the opportunity to be physically present in a workspace with office small-talk but I loved how 2019-08-09
the team at Sandbox Project created time and space for socializing to occur. Although the virtual setting was a little challenging to get used to, the team at Sandbox Project helped in transitioning and accommodating the time-zone difference to ensure that I was at the peak of my productivity. Question 2 What are the most important learning moments you take with you from your practicum experience? I had three learning moments that I have categories below: Academic: I learned how to conduct environmental scans, logic models, briefing reports, presentation, and evaluation report while understanding the appropriate audience and how to define clear, concise, and straight to the point selection criteria. To provide clarity and simplicity for the stakeholders, it was important to recognize what