Minute Paper

One quick way to allow for reflection at the end of the day is a Minute Paper. The group stops a few minutes early and the participants respond to two questions:

  1. What was the most important thing you learned in class today?
  2. What important question remains unanswered?

Responses can be shared with the whole group and recorded on flip charts, or they can be written privately on index cards or ½ sheets of paper, etc. The questions can be modified to collect any type of information needed by the group or facilitator.

Recall, Summarize, Question, Connect, Comment (RSQC2)

For this self-assessment tool, all five steps are completed by the learner. RSQC2 encourages them to make connections between old and new information – to build on their present skills, linking them to the skills they are learning.

Steps to RSQC2 (Recall, Summarize, Question, Connect, Comment)

  1. Recall: At the beginning of the lesson, (day, week, etc.) make a list of the most important ideas they learned in the previous lesson.
  2. Summarize the important points into one summary statement.
  3. Question Write out one or two questions that you still had after the last lesson.
  4. Connect Think about how the important ideas and your remaining questions connect to your training plan and overall goals. Write down your thoughts.
  5. Comment on how you ‘evaluate’ your last lesson. Review your important ideas, questions and connections. Ask yourself questions like: Was it helpful? What did you find difficult? What things made learning easier or more fun?
Adapted from Melland, Helen I. and Volden, Cecilia V., Classroom Assessment Linking Teaching and Learning. Journal of Nursing Education, Spring 1998.