What is the primary goal of a teacher asking students reflective questions after a project?

The primary goal of a teacher asking students reflective questions after a project is to encourage the students to assess their own work. This practice is rooted in the concept of self-assessment, where students critically analyze both their own performance and the learning process they engaged in during the project. By reflecting on their experiences, students develop metacognitive skills that enhance their understanding of their learning, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and ultimately take greater ownership of their educational journey.

Self-assessment through reflective questioning helps students internalize the lessons learned, facilitating deeper learning and promoting a growth mindset. Engaging in this reflection allows students to connect their experiences to their future learning endeavors and to build essential skills such as critical thinking and self-evaluation. While gathering feedback for lesson improvement or preparing for future projects are valuable aspects of teaching, the primary focus of reflective questions is to instill in students a habit of assessing their work to foster independence and self-awareness in their learning process.