Summary Paper
The summary paper is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate how new knowledge has been learned.
This is not the normal type of summary paper, nor is it a rehash of what was covered in class or an outline of
the readings. You are to write a summary paper of no less than seven (7) pages single-spaced and not
exceeding twelve (12) single-spaced pages. Be sure to use 1 inch margins and Times New Roman or Arial
font. The paper should follow Kolbs Model of Experiential Learning. (The Kolbs Model of Experiential
Learning will be explained to you in class.) You must demonstrate that you have grasped the key concepts of
the lectures and readings and that you are able to use them and communicate them in a functional way. The
summary paper is due on the final examination date assigned to us by the institution on the examination
schedule.
Kolbs Model of Experiential Learning involves a four-step process:
The first step begins with the students concrete experience. Concrete experience (CE) includes things like
reading, consulting with others, personal research or talking with other students after the course.
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The second step, Reflective Observation (RO) happens as the individual steps back from the experience,
observes it, thinks about it and reflects. Reflection may involve noticing similarities or differences, patterns
or results of certain actions.
Step three, based upon the individuals observations and reflections, the individual makes a generalization or
formulates a principle, Abstract Concepts (AC) about what was observed.
Afterward the individual applies this principle or generalization Active Experimentation (AE), step four, to
see if it holds true. This process leads to new concrete experience and the process begins all over again. The
individual makes new observations and reflections; based on them, formulates or refines the principle and
again applies this new knowledge.
Format for Writing the Summary Paper
The outline that follows illustrates the structure to be used in writing the summary paper. All papers will
begin with a title page, following APA format. The paper must be computer typewritten and must follow
proper report writing styles.
Summary Paper Outline
Title Page
I. Introduction
II. Body of Summary Paper
A. 1
st situation Transition Paragraph
1. Concrete Experience (CE)
2. Reflective Observation (RO)
3. Abstract Concepts (AC)
4. Active Experimentation (AE)
B. 2
nd situation Transition Paragraph
1. Concrete Experience (CE)
2. Reflective Observation (RO)
3. Abstract Concepts (AC)
4. Active Experimentation (AE)
C. 3
rd situation Transition Paragraph
1. Concrete Experience (CE)
2. Reflective Observation (RO)
3. Abstract Concepts (AC)
4. Active Experimentation (AE)
III. Conclusion of Summary Paper
IV. References
To help you in writing your summary paper, it may be helpful for you to ask yourself questions in each
category of the model. Some of these questions include, but are not limited to the following examples:
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Concrete Experience
1. What did I do in this course? When? For how long? Why?
2. How many other students were involved? What did I do to make the ideas clear?
3. What techniques, methods, processes or procedures did I use? Why?
4. What were my goals and objectives? How did they influence my approach?
5. What resources did I use or have available?
Reflective Observation
1. What were my thought processes? What were the considerations, decisions, justifications, and
rationale? What relationships have I noticed?
2. What did I notice? Trends? Patterns? Differences? Similarities?
3. What was important, significant, different, and unique?
4. What worked and what did not work?
5. What can I say in retrospect?
Abstract Concepts
1. What ideas, insights have I had? Can I look at my learning experience form a broad perspective and
make generalizations from it?
2. What hypotheses, rules, laws, theories, principles have I formed to explain why this is, why this
happens, why this works, or does not work, why this is the same or different, why this trend pattern
or relationship exists
3. Is this explanation or theory appropriate for more than one situation?
4. Would this also be true or relevant for the other persons in other situations? How can this be
applied?
Active Experimentation
1. Would my knowledge be useful in other situations? How?
2. Based on this knowledge, what have I done, or what would I do?
3. Can I make predictions based on my knowledge?
4. Have I tested my ideas, concepts, or those of others that I have learned? If not, can I guess what
would happen? Why?
5. How does my knowledge relevant or significant?
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