Reflective Project
What is the reflective project?
The reflective project is one of the four elements that make up the core programme unique to the CP. Focusing on the process as much as the product, it is an independent piece of work that focuses on an ethical dilemma stemming from the student's career-related studies. Most importantly, the reflective project really is the culmination of a multitude of skills the students have developed throughout their CRS, DP subjects and the other elements of the core.
The reflective project is ...
- one of four compulsory components of the CP
- produced over an extended period of time totalling 50 hours
- built upon a research question which provides the focus for the whole project
- focused on research, thinking, writing and communication skills at a complex level
- centred on an ethical dilemma from and ethical issue connected with the student's career-related study
- a written essay of up to 3000 words or shorter written essay + additional format
- accompanied by a separate document called the RPPF where students must produce three reflections up to 1000 words
- assessed in two ways: the process the student went through and the product they produced
- assessed by 5 assessment criteria: A: Focus and Method, B: Knowledge and Understanding, C: Critical Thinking, D: Communication and E: Engagement and Reflection
- marked by the school, externally moderated by the IB who will ask for a sample dependent on size of cohort.
A little more on the Options ...
The Options
It can be tempting to consider one option easier than the other; what is right for the student must come first and care should be taken to guiden them to make a choice that will give them the most rewarding...
Short film
... is for filmThe short film option as an additional format is an exciting opportunity. You would be right to think that 7 minutes is quite a challenge but it is also a chance, with the written report,...
Presentation
... is for presentationAnother option in the additional formats is the presentation to accompany the written report. Students can submit a 7 minute presentation or 700 word script in addition to their...
Interview
...is for InterviewThe interview option is certainly a challenge; anticipating questions to ask and responding in the moment are two very different skill sets. Irrespective of whether this option is part...
Play
... is for playThe play option as an additional format is an exciting opportunity for any student either wanting to further explore a performing arts career-related studies or a student just wanting to...
Display
...is for DisplayAs an additional format this option stands out from the others; the information given is that this can be up to 15 images annotated with up 700 words. As with the other formats, students...
Similar to the DP Extended Essay in the way ...
- compulsory element of the core needed to obtain the full CP (like the Diploma)
- it uses 5 assessment criteria but with slightly different headings and mark allocation.
- it is produced over an extended period of time
- it is built on a research question (the RP addresses an ethical dilemma specifically) that must meet the scope of the word and project allowance
- it is an extended piece of work that focuses on research, thinking, writing and communication skills at a complex level.
- it is accompanied by a separate reflection document called the RPPF - however CP students can write up to 1000 words
A little more on the the whole projects ...
Assessing the reflective project: exemplars
There are different ways of interacting with the reflective project as explored in Giving feedback and Supervising too. This page will build in additional resources that are pertinent to understanding...
Key differences though are ...
- the word limit: 3000 words for Option 1 (not 4000 like the EE) with the RPPF making up to 1000 words extra
- the formats: in an echo to the Personal Project of the MYP, students can choose to make a tangible product in addition to a written report. Options include film, play, podcast, presentation
- the focus and purpose: students concentrate on their Career-related Study rather than one of their HL DP subjects. Whilst interrogative and centred around crititcal thinking like the EE, the focus is upon an ethical dilemma
A little more on how to support the reflective project ...
Supervising
Supervisory sessions can be made more dynamic with user-friendly activities and tools to support discussions. Students can receive up to five hours of supervisory support throughout the reflective project...
The 7 stages of the reflective project process
1. Identify an issue directly linked to the student's career-related study.
2. Pinpoint an ethical dilemma which arises from the issue.
3. Show an awareness of the ethical dilemma.
4. Identify the key community.
5. Examine differing viewpoints.
6. Develop a personal and relevant evaluation of the ethical dilemma.
7. Reflect continuously at key points in the process.
Key resources to support each stage | |
1. Identify an issue directly linked to the student's career-related study.Starting the projectStudents need to take ownership of their reflective projects; this page is about kickstarting the reflective project and establishing the Researcher's Reflection Space with recognising the usefulness... Applied EthicsThe IB learner profile characteristic of 'principled' requires students to develop responsibility not only for their actions but the consequences as well. Applied Ethics is most immediately associated... | |
2. Pinpoint an ethical dilemma which arises from the issue.Ethical dimensions, issues and dilemmas.Finding a suitable ethical issue and dilemma to analyse critically is at the centre of the reflective project process. However a student also needs to be able to understand the ethical ramifications of... Creating a Research QuestionWithout the right research question, there is a limit to how successful the whole reflective project can be. Yes, students will still have the opportunity to employ ethical, critical and reflective thinking... | |
3. Show an awareness of an ethical dilemmaEthical ThinkingAt the heart of ethical thinking is the ability to consider the dynamics of people, actions and consequences in a balanced way. Developing ethical thinking is a complex process that takes time not just... Starting discussions and debatesA key way to develop confidence in personal and professional skills and foster curiosity is through continuous debate and discussion about the world around us. A PPS teacher's main hurdle is keeping resources... | |
4. Identify a key communityPlanning and process managementThe student's planning skills, throughout the reflective project experience, must not to be overlooked. This ensures that the process does not just become about the final piece but is seen as an opportunity... Intercultural UnderstandingStudents explore the significance of cultural identity and diversity as the ability to understand and appreciate multiple cultural perspectives leads to highly effective and empathetic people within personal... | |
5. Examine differing viewpointsEthical ThinkingAt the heart of ethical thinking is the ability to consider the dynamics of people, actions and consequences in a balanced way. Developing ethical thinking is a complex process that takes time not just... Exercises in EmpathyUnderstanding empathy can be tricky - least of all differentiating it from sympathy. Through the work of neuro psychologists and academics, we explore its definition and real world application. Students... | |
6. Develop a personal and relevant evaluation of the ethical dilemmaCritical ThinkingCritical thinking can sound scary and unattainable for students but it is a lot more accessible than they imagine. Returning to the learner profile to consider the inquirer and communicator can prompt... Understanding TruthHere, we start to chip away at the idea of truth and how finding it in today's world demands highly developed critical thinking tools. Whilst the intention is to provide sources to prompt inquiry from... | |
7. Reflect continuously at key points in the processReflective ThinkingReflection is generally seen as an exercise in looking back on what has been done. The part that is missed out is to use this knowledge to shape what can be done in the future. This is how reflection... Personal DevelopmentThe personal development of the student is clearly paramount in the CP. This page introduces the theme for students to find their motivation, vision and 'buy-in' they need for their CP course and life... Self assessmentThe stage between between receiving feedback from their supervisor on their only draft and producing the final piece can often lose momentum, especially when there is a long summer holiday in between.... |
Further Support
The site has three key areas for the reflective project. The Core: The Reflective Project takes you through each stage of the process as given above. However there is also a Skills section very much aligned to the Approaches to Teaching and Learning at the heart of all IB programmes but explores what makes the reflective project unique in terms of ethical, critical and reflective thinking. Lastly, it goes without saying that the reflective project is dependent on the Personal and Professional Skills course for preparing students to be independent in the skills they will need to use for this project.
Skills
The reflective project demands students develop a number of complex skills. It can be hard to juggle especially with every student's needs different from the next. Find here accessible lesson ideas to...
Core: Personal & Professional Skills
Personal and Professional Skills is a compulsory component of the CP core: a 90 hour course of personal and professional transferable skills for students to develop over the two years of the CP course....
Core: The Reflective Project
The reflective project is one of the four elements that make up the core programme unique to the CP. Focusing on the process as much as the product, it is an independent piece of work that focuses on...
Selected Pages
Reflective Project
Ethical dimensions, issues and dilemmas. Free
Finding the ethical dimension, issue and dilemmaBefore students, can find a suitable ethical issue and dilemma to analyse...
Reflective Project
Sport: Creating Research questions Free
How do you know when you have a good research question?Whatever your career-related subject area, all research questions...
Reflective Project
Business: Creating Research Questions Free
How do you know when you have a good research question?Whatever your career-related subject area, all research questions...
Reflective Project
Starting RQs, dilemmas and SDGs Free
Exploring the local and global dynamic in the SDGsUsing the Sustainable Development Goals as a context for exploring dilemmas...
Reflective Project
Art and Design: Creating research questions Free
How do you know when you have a good research question?Whatever your career-related subject area, all research questions...
Reflective Project
What makes a good research question? Free
What shoes would you run a marathon in?This might seem a random place to start when we are talking about research questions...