Teaching MPA Internships Built on Reflection in Practice

Abstract

Reflection in practice is a technique long recognized as effective in education. This article discusses the concept of reflection in practice, describes how a master of public administration internship class was designed based on integrating the technique, and presents the specific exercises used to facilitate students’ using and learning from the technique. The technique appears to be effective during the internship course. Informal response suggests that students are utilizing this technique more extensively than initially anticipated.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeanne Cross

Jeanne Cross is an assistant professor in the College of Education at Ashland University, where she teaches pre-service and in-service teachers how to integrate technology into the classroom. A graduate of The University of Akron doctoral program in Education Administration specializing in Instructional Technology, Cross finds the greatest challenge in the use of technology in the classroom lies in the mindset and imagination of teachers and decision makers. She has discovered that the use of reflection in practice is an excellent vehicle for getting students, many of whom are teachers, to think through the process and reasons behind attitudes toward technology that determine effective use. Other areas of concentration include the use of digital photography and digital video for instruction, and making the transition into the blended and distance learning environment.

Nancy Grant

Nancy K. Grant is a professor of public administration and urban studies and codirector of the Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security Policy Research at The University of Akron. Grant incorporates service learning into several of her courses and has found that the use of reflection in practice-based assignments leads to more careful analysis and understanding of the experience. The internship course was the first full course designed with this pedagogy. In addition to serving as internship coordinator, Grant has been department chair, associate dean, and acting dean during her career at The University of Akron.