Art and Creative Expression in Reflection
Excerpt from Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation, Second Edition: There is great power when learners create symbols, music, words or performance to repr
Re-Purposing Rapport Building Activities for Reflection and Review: Handshake Mingle and Concentric Circles
Current brain research supports the experiential education philosophy that educators will increase attention, motivation, and learning outcomes when they weave in opportunities to
Creating Meaning With Metaphor
Excerpt from Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Group Facilitation. Since the beginning of civilization, humans have expressed themselves through symbols. Symbols, images
The Language We Use in Facilitation and Teaching: Reflection vs. Debriefing
There’s all the difference in the world between having something to say, and having to say something. —John Dewey My March of 2013 blog post “The Language We Use in
Sequencing Reflection and Processing in the Middle of the Experience
Effective facilitators put a lot of thought into sequencing their programs so that lessons and activities build upon the previous ones. They start with less intimidating methods to
Tips for Facilitating Meaningful Reflection
These tips will help you create an environment that encourages involvement in meaningful reflection and discussion. • Reflect throughout the experience. Reflection can we wove
Facilitating Reflection: Challenges and Opportunities
Helping facilitators and educators view reflection differently and find ways to make it meaningful and engaging has been a focus of my professional work over the past two decades.
Meaningful Reflection Brings Learning to Life
Reflection brings learning to life. It is the essential ingredient in education, training, therapy, and team-building, that promotes growth and change in learners. It is the cata
Making the Most of Transitions: Celebrating the End of the School Year and New Beginnings
Here in New England schools are wrapping up for the year. Over the past few weeks I have been working with a number of local schools to facilitate transition activities such as “
Trade and Share: An Active Reflection and Dialogue Activity to Get Participants Moving, Talking, Reflecting and Keep Them Engaged
Over the last couple of years I’ve posted about a number of twists on activities traditionally used as icebreakers that I re-purpose as active, social approaches to reflection, p
An Exciting Month On the Road and Thoughts On the Words We Use in Experiential Education
This experience of facilitating through an interpreter stimulated reflection upon the words I choose to describe concepts in experiential education. When presenting with an interpr
Resolutions, Reminders, Commitments: Reflective Activities to Help Your Groups Ring in the New Year
Jen Stanchfield offers a number of reflective activities to help your group's or students reflect on the New Year: Quotes, Keyboard Keys, Postcards
Processing in the Middle of the Experience
Processing in the Middle of the Experience Jen Stanchfield Often when we facilitate reflection with groups, we make time after the experience or lesson is completed to revie
Engaging Groups in Meaningful Dialogue and Reflection While Practicing Decision-making and Consensus Building.
Engaging Groups in Meaningful Dialogue and Reflection While Practicing Decision-making and Consensus Building. Jen Stanchfield My last few posts have explored the power of p
Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection
Last Friday I offered another author’s lesson entry for Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing Company’s blog: “Bringing Learning to Life Through Reflection.̶

