Components of Reflection: A Longitudinal Analysis of Study Abroad Student Blog Posts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v29i2.392Keywords:
Reflection, Study abroad, Blog posts, longitudinal analysisAbstract
Reflection supports actively transforming perspectives regarding study abroad experiences. The current study examines the "how" of reflection. Content of reflections is dictated by questions posed. The process of reflection is less prescribed yet revealing of paths to student understanding. Students posted to a web log (blog) over six time periods during their study abroad sojourn. Five reflection components were identified and tracked via cognitively complex processes and emotional aspects of their writings as analyzed by linguistic inquiry computer software. Changes in language usage revealed patterns of how students reflected. A precipitous drop in identifying distinctions between self and the host culture during immersion seemed to indicate an intense struggle attempting to make meaning of their experience. Also, findings highlighted markedly conflicted feelings both at pre-departure and upon reentry. Linguistic analysis proved promising for both assessment and design of reflective prompts.
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References
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Tausczik, Y. R. & Pennebaker, J. W. (2010). The psychological meaning of words: LIWC and computerized text analysis methods. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 29, 24-54.
Ward, C. (2001). The A, B, Cs of acculturation. In D. Matsumoto (Ed.), Handbook of Culture and Psychology. (pp. 411-446). NY: Oxford University Press.
Zull, J. E. (2012). The brain, learning, and study abroad. In M. Vande Berg, R. M. Paige, & K. H. Lou (Eds). Student Learning Abroad: What our students are learning, what they're not, and what we can do about it., (pp. 162-187). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Bennett, J. M., Bennett, M. J., & Stillings, K. (1977). Description, Interpretation, and Evaluation: Facilitators’ Guidelines. Retrieved from www.intercultural.org/resources.html
Bennett, M. J. (1993). Toward ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In R. M. Paige (Ed.), Education for the intercultural experience (2nd ed., pp. 21–71). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Bennett, M. J. (2012). Paradigmatic assumptions and a developmental approach to intercultural learning. In M. Vande Berg, R. M. Paige, & K. H. Lou (Eds). Student Learning Abroad: What our students are learning, what they're not, and what we can do about it., (pp. 90-114). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Brewer, E. & Moore, J. (2015). Where and how do students learn abroad? In V. Savicki & E. Brewer (Eds.). Assessing Study Abroad: Theory, Tools, and Practice (pp. 145-161). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Deardorff, D. K. (2012). Framework: Observe, state, explore, evaluate (OSEE) tool. In K. Berardo & D. K Deardorf (Eds.). Building Cultural Competence: Innovative Activities and Models. (pp. 58-60). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Engle, L. & Engle, J. (2003). Study abroad levels: Toward a classification of program types. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, IX, 1-20.
Gillepie, J., Ciner, E & Schodt, D. (2015). Engaging stakeholders in assessment of student learning in off-campus programs. In V. Savicki & E. Brewer (Eds.). Assessing Study Abroad: Theory, Tools, and Practice (pp. 262-276). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Gothard, J., Downey, G., Gray, T. & Butcher, L. (n.d.). Bringing the Learning Home project, Australian Learning and Teaching Council. Retrieved from http://ozstudentsabroad.com/
Gray, K. M. & Savicki, V. (2015). Study abroad reentry: Behavior, affect, and cultural distance. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, XXVI, 264-278.
Hunter, A. (2008). Transformative learning in international education. In V. Savicki, (Ed.). Developing Intercultural Competence and Transformation: Theory, Research, and Application in International Education (pp. 92-107). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential learning as the science of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Pagano, M. & Roselle, L. (2009). Beyond reflection through an academic lens: Refraction and international experiential education. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, XVIII, 217-229.
Paige, R.M. (2015). Interventionist models for study abroad. In J.M. Bennett (Ed.), SAGE Encyclopedia of Intercultural Competence. (pp. 563-568). Thousand Oaks, California : SAGE Publications.
Pennebaker, J. W., Booth, R. J., & Francis, M. E. (2007). Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count: LIWC [Computer software]. Austin, TX: LIWC.net.
Pennebaker, J. W., Chung, C. K., Ireland, M., Gonzales, A., & Booth, R. J. (2007). The development and psychometric properties of LIWC2007 [LIWC manual]. Austin, TX: LIWC.net.
Pennebaker, J. W. & King, L.A. (1999). Linguistic styles: Language use as an individual difference. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1296-1312
Pennebaker, J. W., Mayne, T. J., & Francis, M. E. (1997). Linguistic predictors of adaptive bereavement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72, 863-871.
Price, M. V., Savicki, V. & Moran, M. (2015, November). Student Reflection: Why it is important and how to assess it. IPSL Symposium. Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Cusco, Peru.
Savicki, V. & Cooley, E. (2011) American identity in study abroad students: Contrasts and changes. Journal of College Student Development. 52, 339-349.
Savicki, V. & Price, M. V. (2015a). Student reflective writing: Cognition and affect before, during, and after study abroad. Journal of College Student Development, 56, 587-601.
Savicki, V. & Price, M. V. (2015b). Continuous improvement in a small study abroad office using outcomes assessment. In V. Savicki & E. Brewer (Eds.). Assessing Study Abroad: Theory, Tools, and Practice (pp. 230-245). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Savicki, V. & Price, M. V. (2017). Guiding reflection on cultural experience: Before, during, and after study abroad. In S. L. Pasquarelli, R. A. Cole., & M. Tyson, (Ed.s) Passport to Change: Designing Academically Sound, Culturally Relevant Short Term Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Tausczik, Y. R. & Pennebaker, J. W. (2010). The psychological meaning of words: LIWC and computerized text analysis methods. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 29, 24-54.
Ward, C. (2001). The A, B, Cs of acculturation. In D. Matsumoto (Ed.), Handbook of Culture and Psychology. (pp. 411-446). NY: Oxford University Press.
Zull, J. E. (2012). The brain, learning, and study abroad. In M. Vande Berg, R. M. Paige, & K. H. Lou (Eds). Student Learning Abroad: What our students are learning, what they're not, and what we can do about it., (pp. 162-187). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
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Published
2017-11-16
How to Cite
Savicki, V., & Price, M. V. (2017). Components of Reflection: A Longitudinal Analysis of Study Abroad Student Blog Posts. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 29(2), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v29i2.392
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