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Detailed Information from the IB:
Reflection is an activity in which you recapture your experience and think about its impact on you as a learner. This includes how you envisage transferring the skills and lessons you have learned to other circumstances, including future studies, career or life in general.
To assist you with this, there are three formal reflection sessions with your supervisor.
Your reflective thinking is recorded as a 500-word reflective statement that is written at the end of the extended essay process.
Keeping an ongoing record of your reflective thinking will support you in the writing of the reflective statement.
Reflection sessions and check-ins:
It is important to distinguish between check-ins with your supervisor and the three mandatory reflection sessions. They are not the same. You are encouraged to check in with your supervisor in between the mandatory, formal reflection sessions. How often you do this will depend on your needs and your supervisor’s requirements. A check-in may be a quick 10-minute chat about a timeline or clarification of feedback. Or it could be a longer discussion about, for example, access to resources. These check-ins do not form part of the formal reflection process and do
not need to be recorded on the RPF. Nevertheless, they are an important part of the supervision process.
What happens at the three reflection sessions?
In each of the reflection sessions, you discuss your extended essay experience with your supervisor. To make this a useful aspect of your reflective thinking, you should keep a record of the discussions.
The first reflection session is a dialogue between you and your supervisor based on your initial explorations.
The interim reflection session is a continuation of the dialogue, where you demonstrate the progress you have made in your research. You discuss any challenges you have encountered, offer potential solutions and seek advice as necessary.
The final reflection session, or viva voce, is a discussion celebrating the completion of the essay and reflecting on what you have learned from the process. It is an opportunity to discuss holistic evidence of your learning, and the authenticity of your ideas. The viva voce provides an important source of ideas for your reflective statement.