Student reflection in the extended essay is critical. Effective reflection highlights the engagement of the student in an intellectual and personal process and how this has changed the student as a learner and affected the completion of that individual’s essay. For those students who have completed the Middle Years Programme, the researcher’s reflection space (RRS) can be compared to the process journal.
The IB considers this to be a central component of a successful research process as it:
supports student learning, thinking and critical analysis throughout the research process
helps to stimulate discussions between the student and supervisor
aids the reflection process.
Source: IB EE Guidelines
Anywhere that you make notes or record what you are doing to progress in your EE is your RRS.To keep it official and to make sure that we can see it you need to use two places
1. A Google Drive folder which you will share with your supervisor and the EE coordinator.
The nature of the RRS
Use of the RRS is strongly recommended as it will allow the student to more clearly articulate and understand their decision-making process. It supports learning, thinking, critical analysis and evaluation, and contributes not only to the development of a successful extended essay but also to skills and competencies for pathways beyond the Diploma Programme.
The RRS is a personal learning environment that can be either a physical or virtual support tool. It is a space in which students are able to record reflections on what they are reading, writing and thinking. The use of the RRS will help students to prepare for their reflection sessions with their supervisors and inform the discussions that take place.
In preparing for their reflection sessions students could use their RRS to:
The RRS is an essential tool to show the process that the student took from initial ideas to the final product, thus ensuring that academic integrity can be proven.
Source: IB EE Guidelines