Overview
This reflective journaling activity helps students connect sustainability concepts to their own discipline and lived experience. It encourages iterative thinking by prompting ongoing reflection on knowledge gained, evolving perspectives, and the relevance of sustainability in their future professional roles.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this activity, students will:
- Connect sustainability knowledge to their discipline and values.
- Reflect on their learning process and shifts in understanding.
- Develop critical thinking and reflective writing skills.
- Engage iteratively with sustainability concepts over time.
Instructions for Educators
- Set the rhythm: Decide on journal submission frequency (weekly recommended).
- Choose the channel: Decide if journals will be private (i.e. submitted to instructor) or shared (i.e. published in a discussion forum).
- Introduce the purpose: Explain that the goal is to relate sustainability to their field and personal growth, not to produce “right” answers. Encourage honesty and curiosity.
- Provide weekly prompts
Week | Prompt |
Week 1: Introduction | Does your program addresses sustainability challenges? Where have you seen sustainability included or ignored in your learning? |
Week 2: Taking TASK | Reflect on your experience taking the TASK assessment. What surprised you about your results? What areas do you want to understand better? How does this shape your view of sustainability? |
Week 3: Review TASK Study Guides | Review the content of at least 2 Study Guides. What have you learned? |
Week 4: Current events | Find a current news story related to sustainability. How does this issue relate to your field or future job? What questions does it raise? |
Week 5: Ethical questions | What ethical dilemmas or trade-offs do you see related to sustainability in your discipline? How do your values influence your views? |
Week 6: Looking ahead | How could you contribute to sustainability in your future work? What knowledge or skills would you need? |
Week 7: Final reflection | Revisit your past journal entries and discuss with your peers. How has your understanding or perspective on sustainability changed over the weeks? What insights or challenges remain? |