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Reflection and the EE.pdfReflection Sessions and Check-ins
Reflection Sessions and Check-ins
Check-ins: These are optional and happen between formal sessions.
They include:
Short chats about timelines
Asking questions or getting feedback
Clarifying research issues
Reflection sessions: There are three mandatory sessions, each lasting 20–30 minutes, and they must be recorded on the RPF (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form).
Formal Reflection Sessions Overview
❖ First Reflection Session
A dialogue based on your initial research and ideas.
❖ Interim Reflection Session
❖ Interim Reflection Session
A continuation of the dialogue focusing on progress, challenges, and refined focus.
❖ Final Reflection — Viva Voce
❖ Final Reflection — Viva Voce
A celebration of your completed essay and a reflection on your growth and learning.
How It Will Be Assessed
How It Will Be Assessed
Criterion E: "Does the student evaluate the effect of the extended essay learning experience on them as a learner?"
Examiners look for:
Evaluative reflection with examples
Evidence of growth and transfer of learning
Examples of skills applied in other contexts
Perspective shifts and how they affected choices
International Baccalaureate Organization. (2025). Extended Essay Guide: First assessment 2027. International Baccalaureate Organization.
Second Interim Reflection Session
(June 14)
Second Interim Reflection Session
(June 14)
Mandatory Tasks:
update managebac with any changes that might have been made since the last reflection session
complete a reflection (process-focused) this can be done before, during or after the reflection session meeting has occurred ( Make sure your reflection evaluates your decisions and process, not just describes them.)
Possible discussion topics:
questions from the Interim: Writing Stage of the "Reflecting Throughout the Research Process" document on this page.
questions you have about your essay outline, what you have written so far
any challenges you have experienced so far and how you have overcome them
an evaluation of your decisions and processes
View this Video on the Reflection Process for the Initial and Interim Meetings
2025-2026 Dates:
2025-2026 Dates:
First Reflection Session (Feb. 24 - Mar 2)
First Reflection Session (Feb. 24 - Mar 2)
Mandatory Tasks:
discuss and refine your research question to an appropriate working RQ (and enter in Managebac, to be approved by supervisor in Managebac)
look back through your thoughts, artifacts, etc. you recorded in your RRS. Make sure your reflection evaluates your decisions and process, not just describes them.
During or immediately after your meeting, document your thoughts and reflective process
Possible discussion/reflection topics:
subject-specific assessment criteria
your plans for your EE (when you are going to work on it, etc.)
proposed methodology
the sources/resources you have found so far (bring your bibliography or your resources to show your mentor - minimum 6, 3 must be academic) and what resources you are still hoping to find
an evaluation of your decisions and processes
Summer Reflection Tasks
Summer Reflection Tasks
In your RSS (Journal), answer several questions from the Writing Stage row in the document above. Consider also recording how you are dealing with procrastination (if you are experiencing it) and any challenges you are facing this summer with regards to writing your EE and how you overcame them. This will help you when it is time to complete your Viva Voce in the fall.
Third Reflection Session (Viva Voce)
(Sept. 16- 27)
Third Reflection Session (Viva Voce)
(Sept. 16- 27)
Mandatory Tasks:
A 500-word reflective statement, written at the end of the EE journey, must be included on the RPF and submitted with the essay.
Potential Topics to Address:
Potential Topics to Address:
Key ideas from the viva voce
Transferable learning skills you developed
Insights from the research process
Perspective changes
Meaningful choices you made
How this experience may shape the future
Possible discussion topics:
how your research has influenced your opinion on your topic
something forward thinking, such as how you might use what you have learned (info or skills) in the future.
how you might do things differently next time
what you have learned about yourself
an evaluation of your own process and decisions
The Viva Voce meeting - Guiding questions.pdfReflective Statement.pdfRSS
RSS
The Researcher's Reflection Space is where you gather evidence for criterion E (Engagement). You can keep it all together in Managebac. These artifacts are NOT required to be submitted to IB. Think of this as your rough copy or storage space for your official RPPF.
EE Reflection is PROCESS ORIENTED.
Here are some examples of RRS.
Artifacts you might want to put in your RSS:
your interests letter
your brainstorming of your interests
your brainstorming of your topic
your EE outline
any comments your supervisor wrote on various documents
articles that you found and your reflection on their usefulness
an explanation of and/or anything that caused you to change direction, research question, etc.
initial reflections -- answers to reflection prompt questions - etc.
rough notes or rough versions for your Official RPPF reflections
RPPF
RPPF
The Reflections on Planning and Progress Form is the official document that will be uploaded to IB and assessed by the EE examiner -- Criterion E 6 marks.
You will be completing the RPF in Managebac. There must be three meetings with your Supervisor, but only after the third and final meeting will you complete you Reflection Statement.
There is only one written Reflection Statement of 500 words.
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