Learning Reflection Templates

Reflection transforms experience into learning. These templates help you capture insights from Malware & Monsters sessions and plan how to apply them in your professional and personal development.

Immediate Post-Session Reflection (5 minutes)

Quick Capture Template

Session Date: _______________
Malmon Encountered: _______________
Your Role: _______________
Team Members: _______________

Three Key Insights:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

Most Surprising Discovery:
_______________________________________________

Biggest Question Still on Your Mind:
_______________________________________________

One Thing You Want to Explore Further:
_______________________________________________

Detailed Reflection (Within 24 Hours)

Comprehensive Learning Analysis

Session Overview:

  • Date and Duration: _______________
  • Facilitator: _______________
  • Malmon Type and Characteristics: _______________
  • Organization Context: _______________
  • Your Character Name and Role: _______________

Technical Learning

New Cybersecurity Concepts Learned:

  • Concept 1: _______________
    • What it is: _______________
    • Why it matters: _______________
    • How it applies to real situations: _______________
  • Concept 2: _______________
    • What it is: _______________
    • Why it matters: _______________
    • How it applies to real situations: _______________
  • Concept 3: _______________
    • What it is: _______________
    • Why it matters: _______________
    • How it applies to real situations: _______________

Technical Insights That Surprised You:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Technical Questions You Still Have:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

Collaboration and Team Dynamics

What Made Your Team Effective:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Your Most Valuable Contributions:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

How Your Character Influenced Your Thinking:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Team Coordination Insights:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Communication Techniques That Worked Well:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Problem-Solving and Process Learning

Most Effective Problem-Solving Approaches:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Decision-Making Processes That Worked:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

How Different Roles Contributed to Solutions:

  • Detective insights: _______________
  • Protector actions: _______________
  • Tracker discoveries: _______________
  • Communicator contributions: _______________
  • Crisis Manager coordination: _______________
  • Threat Hunter proactive findings: _______________

What Would You Do Differently:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Weekly Reflection (One Week Later)

Integration and Application Assessment

Real-World Connections Made:

  • Situation 1: _______________
    • How session insights applied: _______________
  • Situation 2: _______________
    • How session insights applied: _______________

Conversations or Discussions Influenced by Session:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Changes in How You Think About Cybersecurity:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Follow-Up Learning You’ve Pursued:

  • Articles read: _______________
  • Videos watched: _______________
  • Conversations had: _______________
  • Research conducted: _______________

Professional Development Impact

Skills You’ve Started Developing:
_______________________________________________

Questions You’ve Explored Further:
_______________________________________________

Professional Relationships Built or Strengthened:
_______________________________________________

How This Experience Influences Your Career Thinking:
_______________________________________________

Monthly Cumulative Reflection

Pattern Recognition Across Sessions

Sessions Attended (List with dates and Malmons):

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

Common Themes Across Multiple Sessions:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Skills That Have Developed Over Time:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Evolution of Your Understanding:

  • Month 1: _______________
  • Current understanding: _______________
  • Key changes in perspective: _______________

Long-Term Learning Assessment

Most Significant Insights Gained:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

How Your Approach to Problems Has Changed:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Professional Networks and Relationships Built:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Knowledge Gaps You’ve Identified for Future Learning:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Goal Setting and Planning Template

Short-Term Goals (1-3 Months)

Technical Skills to Develop:

  • Goal 1: _______________
    • Specific actions: _______________
    • Timeline: _______________
    • Resources needed: _______________
  • Goal 2: _______________
    • Specific actions: _______________
    • Timeline: _______________
    • Resources needed: _______________

Professional Relationships to Build:

  • Who: _______________
  • How: _______________
  • Purpose: _______________

Real-World Applications to Try:

  • Application 1: _______________
  • Application 2: _______________

Medium-Term Goals (6-12 Months)

Career Development Objectives:
_______________________________________________

Advanced Learning Targets:
_______________________________________________

Community Contribution Plans:
_______________________________________________

Leadership or Mentorship Opportunities:
_______________________________________________

Long-Term Vision (1-3 Years)

How Cybersecurity Fits Into Your Career Path:
_______________________________________________

Expertise You Want to Develop:
_______________________________________________

Impact You Want to Have:
_______________________________________________

Community Involvement Goals:
_______________________________________________

Specific Application Planning

Workplace Application Template

Insight from Session:
_______________________________________________

Current Workplace Situation Where This Applies:
_______________________________________________

Specific Actions You Can Take:

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________

Resources or Support Needed:
_______________________________________________

Timeline for Implementation:
_______________________________________________

How You’ll Measure Success:
_______________________________________________

Learning Project Template

Topic to Explore: _______________________________________________

Why This Interests You: _______________________________________________

Learning Resources to Use:

  • Books/Articles: _______________
  • Online courses: _______________
  • Hands-on practice: _______________
  • Expert consultations: _______________

Timeline and Milestones:

  • Week 1-2: _______________
  • Week 3-4: _______________
  • Month 2: _______________

How You’ll Apply This Learning: _______________________________________________

Teaching and Sharing Template

Knowledge Sharing Plan

What You Learned That Others Could Benefit From:
_______________________________________________

Who Could Benefit From This Knowledge:
_______________________________________________

How You’ll Share This Knowledge:

When You’ll Share This:
_______________________________________________

How You’ll Prepare to Teach This:
_______________________________________________

Mentorship Reflection

Who Could You Mentor Based on Your Experience:
_______________________________________________

What Advice Would You Give to New Participants:
_______________________________________________

How Your Perspective Has Changed Since Your First Session:
_______________________________________________

What You Wish You Had Known When Starting:
_______________________________________________

Personal Growth Assessment

Confidence and Competence Development

Areas Where You Feel More Confident:
_______________________________________________

Skills You’ve Developed Through Sessions:
_______________________________________________

Professional Identity Changes:
_______________________________________________

How You Approach Learning Differently:
_______________________________________________

Relationship and Network Development

New Professional Relationships:
_______________________________________________

Strengthened Existing Relationships:
_______________________________________________

Communities You’ve Joined or Engaged With:
_______________________________________________

Collaboration Skills You’ve Developed:
_______________________________________________

Future Participation Planning

Session Preparation Improvements

How You’ll Prepare Differently for Future Sessions:
_______________________________________________

Character Development Ideas for Future Roles:
_______________________________________________

Learning Goals for Upcoming Sessions:
_______________________________________________

Community Contribution Plans

How You Want to Give Back to the Community:
_______________________________________________

Skills or Knowledge You Could Share:
_______________________________________________

Leadership Opportunities You’re Interested In:
_______________________________________________

Reflection Questions for Deep Thinking

Critical Thinking Prompts

Challenge Your Assumptions:

  • What did you think you knew that turned out to be incomplete or incorrect?
  • What assumptions about cybersecurity were challenged during your session?
  • How has your understanding of incident response changed?

Explore Connections:

  • How do insights from this session connect to other areas of your life or work?
  • What patterns do you see across different learning experiences?
  • How does cybersecurity relate to other fields you’re familiar with?

Consider Alternative Perspectives:

  • How might someone from a different background view the same situation?
  • What would you do differently if you had different constraints or resources?
  • How do cultural or organizational differences affect cybersecurity approaches?

Growth and Development Questions

Personal Development:

  • How has this experience changed your confidence in technical discussions?
  • What aspects of collaboration do you want to improve?
  • How has your communication style evolved through these sessions?

Professional Development:

  • How do these insights apply to your current role?
  • What career opportunities might these skills open up?
  • How can you integrate cybersecurity thinking into your professional practice?

Community Development:

  • How can you contribute to others’ learning in this area?
  • What role do you want to play in cybersecurity education and awareness?
  • How can you help build more inclusive and collaborative learning environments?

Using These Templates

Regular Reflection Practice

Immediate (Day of session): Use the Quick Capture template Within 24 hours: Complete the Detailed Reflection Weekly: Review and update with real-world applications Monthly: Assess patterns and plan future learning

Customization Tips

Adapt templates to your learning style:

  • Add visual elements if you’re a visual learner
  • Include audio notes if you prefer verbal processing
  • Create digital versions if you prefer typing
  • Combine templates if some work better together for you

Sharing and Collaboration

Consider sharing reflections with:

  • Session teammates for continued discussion
  • Mentors or colleagues for guidance
  • Learning communities for mutual support
  • Future session participants for preparation

Remember: Reflection is a skill that improves with practice. Start with simple templates and gradually add complexity as reflection becomes a natural part of your learning process.