Writing the Learning Log

Writing the Learning Log

A Learning Log is basically a log or record or journal of your own learning.  It is not necessarily a formal ‘academic’ piece of work.  It is a personal record of your own learning.  As such it is a document which is unique to you and cannot be ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.  A Learning Log helps you to record, structure, think about and reflect upon, plan, develop and evidence your own learning

 

What is a Learning Log?

 

A Learning Log is a journal which evidences your own learning and skills development.  It is not just a diary or record of “What you have done” but a record of what you have learnt, tried and critically reflected upon.

 

For example if in your Learning Log you include details of what you did or how you did something then consider asking yourself questions such as:

 

• Did it go well? Why?  What did you learn?
• Did it go badly? Why? What did you learn?
• How can you improve for next time

 

A Learning Log contains your record of your experiences, thoughts, feelings and reflections.  One of the most important things it contains is your conclusions about how what you have learnt is relevant to you and how you will use the new information/knowledge/skill/technique in the future.

 

It may contain details of problems you have encountered and solved (or not solved).  Examples of where you have started to try out and practice a new skill and examples of your own formal and informal learning.  Formal learning is ‘taught’ in a formal academic setting – for example via a lecture. Informal learning is learning which takes place outside a formal academic setting, for example, though talking with friends or colleagues in a social setting.

 

A Learning Log is a personal document.  Its content may be very loosely structured and only of relevance to you.  Once you have commenced a Learning Log you will find it a valuable and useful ‘tool’ to help your learning and to help you to think about and structure your own learning.

 

How do I ‘do’ a Learning Log?

 

Try to write something down after every new learning experience.  Normally use an A4 pad ring binder of paper.

 

• What you did
• Your thoughts
• Your feelings
• How well (or badly) it went
• What you learnt
• What you will do differently next time.

 

On a regular basis (usually 3-5 weekly) review what you have written and reflected upon this.  Be honest with yourself.

 

Ask yourself questions such as:

 

• Have I achieved anything? If so, what?
• What progress have I made
• Have I put any theory into practice?
• How does what I have been doing lead to me becoming better at a skill?
• How can I use this to plan for the future?
• How can I use this to plan new learning?
• Experiences?