How To Guides: Learning Journal

What is a Learning Journal?

A Learning Journal is a personal record of what you are learning about, and specifically how you are learning it. They are often also called Learning Portfolios or Reflection Journals, and they require you to reflect on what you have learnt in a course.

In a Learning Journal, you need to detail how your thinking has changed throughout the learning process and what this means for your future studies. The writing is often quite informal, but always check with your teacher for details regarding expectations regarding specific language and formatting.

Learning Journal Tips & Tricks
 

• Your memory is good...but not that good!
  If your journal requires regular entries, don't wait till the end of the week (or the day before your first submission is due!) to try to rely on your memory to fill your journal. Consistency is important - spend 15 - 30 minutes or so each day adding your thoughts and considerations as you go, rather than sitting down for hours at the end of the week trying to remember what you did and didn't learn, and how you feel about it. By being consistent, your journal will be a true reflection of your learning process and far more beneficial to you (and your teacher) in the long run.
   
• Use headings and dates to your advantage
  A clear, clean learning journal is helpful to both you and your teacher. Add specific headings and sub-headings for each section / task you are referring to, and remember to always add the date (some teachers will even appreciate you noting the time of entry).
   
• How long???
  The length of each journal entry will vary, so make sure you read your assessment and marking criteria properly. Ask your teacher if you require clarification.
   
• An eye for detail = marks
  Check your assessment notification and be aware of the specific expectations - does your learning journal need to have a minimum number of entries? Do you need to include specific definitions / terms / concepts? Do you need to provide a certain amount of photographs / images? Does the journal need to be in a particular font style and font size? 

How to present a Learning Journal

How your Learning Journal is formatted / how it is presented may vary from subject to subject, so it's important to receive direction from your teacher regarding exactly what is expected from you.

A Learning Journal format may be either physical (eg: physical sketchpad or notepad) or digital (eg: Google Documents or Google Slides).

In your Learning Journal, you will write down your thoughts, feelings and observations regarding the learning process you are experiencing, and will often includes a combination of the following (depending on the format):

• Sketches and diagrams
• Video (including video diaries / blogs)
• Photographs
• Screen shots
• Images and illustrations
• Audio (including audio diaries / blogs)
• Links to websites / academic articles you have referred to / found useful

Why use a Learning Journal?

• To provide a “live” picture of your growing understanding of a subject experience
• To demonstrate how your learning is developing 
• To keep a record of your thoughts and ideas throughout your experiences  
• To help you identify your strengths
• To help you identify areas you do not understand or need improvement in  
• To provide you with an understanding regarding your learning preferences
  
  A learning journal helps you to be reflective about your learning -  this mean that your journal should not be a purely descriptive account of what you did but an opportunity to communicate your thinking process: how and why you did what you did, and what you know think about what you did.