Apr 24, 2025

Reflections, a new way for students to share learnings

By Rishin Banker

Head of Product

Summary

Students choose live, cohort-based courses because they want to shift from passive to active learning. We're excited to introduce Reflections, a series of prompts to support the active learning process. Students are now invited to articulate and share their takeaways on Maven at three key moments in the course experience.

Many instructors have seen success with reflection prompts already. They are now a feature in the default syllabus. For cohorts starting 5/1 and later, you’ll see the following:

Pre-course goals at cohort start
Mid-course takeaways at cohort midpoint (only for 2+ week cohorts)
Post-course wrap-up at cohort end

👉 Next step: Learn more below and preview the new functionality from your syllabus editor (in a cohort starting 5/1 or later). For your next cohort, bookmark time in the last live session to encourage students to complete their wrap-up.

🪞 Easy to share

Before: Students keep reflections to themselves.

After: Students share reflections with their cohort.

We designed reflections to feel quick and lightweight, with short prompts and simple navigation in a sidebar. Similar to projects, students will receive an automated email nudge to fill out a reflection when it’s due.

💡Tip: Remind students to fill out the pre-course goals reflection at the cohort start. Use their responses to tailor your instruction and support.

👥 More engaged cohort

Before: Students don’t get to know their cohort outside of live sessions.

After: Students browse reflections and engage with their cohort’s responses.

Reflecting is valuable as an individual, and even more powerful as a group. As part of this update, we've replaced the mid-course feedback survey (previously visible to instructors only) with shared reflections. Students sharpen their own insights by seeing other responses.

💡Tip: Engage with student responses! Even a simple emoji reaction recognizes their effort to share.

🤝 More substantive reviews

Before: Students start the survey by rating the course.

After: Students start the survey by reflecting on takeaways.

The most compelling reviews tell a story of transformation. The updated post-course survey now starts with a reflection, encouraging students to consider their journey when writing the public review, resulting in more meaningful and nuanced reviews.

💡Tip: Bookmark time during your last live session for students to fill out the post-course wrap-up. This is the best way to ensure a high response rate.