UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA PARAÍBA

CENTRO DE CIÊNCIAS HUMANAS, LETRAS E ARTES

DEPARTAMENTO DE MEDIAÇÕES INTERCULTURAIS
BACHARELADO EM LÍNGUAS ESTRANGEIRAS APLICADAS ÀS
NEGOCIAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS
DOCENTE: CLÁUDIA CAMINHA RODRIGUES

What is Reflective Learning Journal?

It is a piece of writing which allows students to record thoughts and insights about their own
learning experience. It encourages students to review and consolidate learning, to evaluate
performance, to plan future learning based on past learning experience. In such a way,
students become capable to take charge of their own learning, and eventually to develop into
independent lifelong learners.

The term “Reflection” has been used widely colloquially and in academic disciplines, such as
psychology and education. Nevertheless, in both settings, it simply means the process of
thinking deeply with one’s awareness and conscious effort on an issue or event. The product
of such a highly engaged cognitive process would be informing insights, strategies, plans and
predictions on the issue one vigorously ponders upon.

Psychologists and educators further differentiate two kinds of reflective thinking: reflection-
in-action and reflection-on-action. The former suggests a simultaneous monitoring when
performing or practicing a task; the latter suggests a retrospective evaluation after the task is
accomplished.

With the meaning of the word “reflection” bears, writing something reflective becomes very
meaningful and fruitful in the process of learning, which is one of the reasons why the use of
Reflective Learning Journal in teaching has a rather long history. Reflective learning journal
is well-accepted by many educators and teachers because it helps students to narrow the gaps
between theories and practice, and most importantly heightens students’ felt need of
constantly monitoring their learning progress. Learning should not be a passive process of
simply in-taking information from teachers and lecturers, but rather an active process that
requires a lot of personal thinking and questioning.

Extracted from: www.polyu.edu.hk/.../ Reflective%20Learning%20Journal%20(Teacher%20Guide).doc

Accessed em: 6.1.2015.

TASK:
Read the questions next page and write a reflective learning journal about learning
experience(s) you had concerning this discipline.
There are seven questions – one point for each answer. You will be assessed considering your
answers – one point each – and three language aspects: grammar, vocabulary and punctuation
– one point each.
There is no word limit, but you should answer the questions, giving reasons for your answers
- which means you have reflected upon them.
P.S.: Write a text, NOT a questionnaire.
 REFLECTIVE LEARNING JOURNAL
Awareness Evaluation Regulation
Academic How does this What does this All things considered, is
development learning experience learning experience this goal (LEA degree) a
contribute to my tell about my choice suitable goal?
academic of academic goal
What other paths can I
development? and path?
take to achieve my goal?

Professional How does this What does this All things considered, is
development learning experience learning experience this goal (what I plan to
contribute to my tell about my choice do after I graduate) a
professioal of professional goal suitable goal?
development? and path?
What other paths can I
take to achieve my goal?
Personal What does this What does this What do I know about
development learning experience learning experience myself?
mean to me? tells me about my
potentials, and
myself as a person?

Adapted from: www.polyu.edu.hk/.../ Reflective%20Learning%20Journal%20(Teacher%20Guide).doc

Accessed em: 6.1.2015.