SoTL Commons Conference Presenters
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Reflection Strategies: Connecting Theory to Practice in Information Technology Projects [pr-1]
Lynn Keane (University of South Carolina): lynn.keane@sc.edu
Karen Patten (University of South Carolina): pattenk@sc.edu
Dewey points out that reflection leads to synthesis of old and new knowledge, including new ways of understanding and solving problems. Eyler and Giles state that students gain greater understanding of how to apply their new knowledge and skills in the real world when they are provided with reflection opportunities to make connections among their course activities, content, and theoretical perspectives. The purpose of this presentation is to report on one aspect of an ongoing action research study documenting student learning within real world IT student projects, specifically, how reflection strategies helped students connect theory to practice and helped faculty make continuous course improvements. We plan to present advantages and disadvantages of various reflection strategies, how students made the connection between theory and practice, and how we improved the organization, management, and coordination of student IT projects. We also plan to discuss how reflection strategies can be integrated in courses.