Consolidation Triangle

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating

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The ‘Consolidation Triangle’ is a short, impactful reflective activity that encourages students to consider the content and to set aspirational questions to extend their learning further beyond the session. When embedded as regular practice, students will become more familiar with the practice of reflection which will, in turn, support their metacognitive development. The objective of this activity is to encourage learners to be reflective by asking questions of themselves, their knowledge, and their skillset. By embedding this practice early on in students’ learning at university, it is hoped that students will become autonomous in their reflection.

Category: Uncategorised

Description

Tried and tested (used and developed over three academic years or more)

Time duration: 5-10 minutes

Student level: ALL

Preparation time before class: minimal (uploading template to Moodle)

Additional materials or equipment needed: None

Other general tips/advice:

Some students may find the process of reflection challenging. Rather than giving a blank template, leave the prompt questions on the document to scaffold the activity for students. Those who are more at ease with reflection can disregard the questions if they so wish.
It can be used as a regular, embedded task that students are expected to complete at the end of each session, building up a picture of their progress through the module content.

Additional information

Contributor

Name: Dr Chris Martin
Job role: (Currently) Senior Learner Developer, Centre for Academic Success
Email address: chris.martin@bcu.ac.uk

Chris’ expertise lies in academic skills development, English for Academic Purposes and Learner Psychology. He has taught across all levels within the UK education system (primary to doctoral level) and has held middle and senior leadership roles in education for the last 10 years.

Keywords

Reflective task, creative approaches, metacognition

1 review for Consolidation Triangle

Rated 5 out of 5

piers.vonberg (verified owner) – 5 November 2025

I have adapted some of the questions and used the same triangle in both a Masters class and a large undergrad module. In the Masters class I built it into a class on reflection, critical reflection and reflexivity. It helped as a warm up activity to introduce the practice of reflection. It also helped link the practice of reflection – often difficult for students to grasp – to their studies (which matter). With the undergrads, I am using it as a mid-semester consolidation seminar to take a pause and reflect on what they have learned. In both classes, I am using it in combination with Ertmer and Newby’s (1995) article on expert learning.