Reflective Journal
What is Reflective Journal?
A reflective journal is a means of recording ideas, personal thoughts and experiences, as well as reflections and insights a student have in the learning process of a course. In addition to the demands of a typical written assignment (e.g. able to give definition on concepts, demonstrate basic understanding of course materials), reflective journal requires the students to think more deeply, to challenge their old ideas with new incoming information, to synthesize the course materials they have learnt into their personal thoughts and philosophy, and also to integrate it into their daily experiences and future actions. The benefits of the reflective learning process are usually accumulated over a period of time, in which the students usually show a series of developmental changes, personal growth and changes in perspectives during the process.
Basically, there are two standard forms of reflective journals: (From Using Journals to Promote Reflective Thought, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Park University)
However, both structured journals and unstructured journals are expected to get through some of the following aspects:
Although reflective journals are often presented in a written format, they are not necessarily written. Some reflective journals can be tape-recorded or presented online. The presentation format of reflective journals is flexible. It is suggested to be applicable to a broad range of disciplines.
Y | Declarative | ![]() |
Y | Functioning | |
Y | Take Time to Set | |
Y | Take Time to Answer | |
Y | Take Time to Correct | |
Y | Take Time to provide Feedback | |
Y | Suitable for Large Class | |
Y | Can substitute with Computers | |
Passive | ||
Y | Active | |
Y | Process Oriented Method | |
Y | Product Oriented Method | |
P = Possibly Y =Yes |
Marking Rubrics
Copy and paste the text below:
MARKING RUBRICS
Excellent
Proficient
Average
Poor
Reflections:
Ability to integrate learning into real-world experiences and analyze issues with a critical attitudeAbility to proficiently demonstrate reflection and deep thinking of acquired knowledge and concepts, and integrate them into different issues from wide range of perspectives (e.g. different contexts, cultures, disciplines etc.); creative solutions and critical thinking skills demonstrated in the writing
Showing satisfactory ability to relate acquired knowledge to previous experiences; demonstrating attempt to analyze the issues from a number of different perspectives
Includes description of events, and a little further consideration behind the events using a relatively descriptive style of language; no evidence of using multiple perspectives in analyzing the issues
Only includes mere descriptions of theoretical knowledge; no reflection is demonstrated beyond the descriptions
Presentation:
Articulation and organization of ideas and perspectivesWriting is well-focused; arguments or perspectives are precisely defined and explained; coherent flow in developing an insightful idea demonstrated
Arguments or perspectives are clearly stated; organized flow in writing but not deep enough to be very insightful
Arguments or perspectives are vaguely mentioned; the writing lacked an organized flow and the ideas were hard to follow
Do not show any original thinking or perspectives; chaotic in organization and presentation of ideas
Completeness:
Incorporation of the journal entries into a whole, demonstration of the learning process Concrete connections between journal entries into a whole; demonstrating clear steps in the developmental learning process
Journal entries can be generally connected; still able to observe how the student develops during the learning process
Weak connections between journal entries; development gained from the learning process is hardly observed
No connections between journal entries; The entries are mere descriptions of events rather than showing a sequence of learning steps
Web Reference and Resources
To Reference these pages
http://www.aishe.org/readings/2007-1/No-07.html
http://www.aishe.org/readings/2007-1/No-16.html
http://www.iml.uts.edu.au/assessment/types/journals/index.html
http://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/ucdtla0035.pdf
http://www.wou.edu/~ulvelad/courses/ED632Summer11/Assets/UsesBenefitsJournal.pdf
Chan C.(2009) Assessment: Reflective Journal, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong [http://ar.cetl.hku.hk]: Available: Accessed: DATE