Reflective learning is important for students in higher education. It involves analyzing and reflecting on your own performance, strengths, weaknesses, and priorities through keeping a learning journal or portfolio. Developing reflective habits improves performance and motivation by helping you consider how you learn best and whether your study strategies match the tasks. Regular reflection using methods like keeping a journal, filling out progress sheets, or maintaining an up-to-date portfolio profile and skills list allows you to clarify your thoughts, see your progress over time, and focus on your development and growth.

1. Reflective learning

2. Reflective learning
You benefit from being able to
As a student in Higher
work out yourself, through a
Education, it is important not
process of analysis and
to be dependent upon
reflection, what you do well,
assessment and views of
what you need to improve
other people only
and your priorities

3. Developing the habit of reflection
• Your performance improves if
you develop a habit of putting
time aside to reflect on how
you learn

4. Developing the habit of reflection
Your motivation
Any gaps there
Changes in your
are in your
attitudes and
knowledge or
ideas
your skills audit
You will find
that you
study more
effectively if
you consider
The
appropriateness
What is blocking of your current
your learning study strategies
to the tasks you
are undertaking
Which skills you
need for different
kinds of
assignment

5. Methods of developing reflection
Keep an
updated profile
or portfolio
Use the self-
Keep a learning
evaluation
journal or blog
questionnaires
Methods Make
Fill in progress of constructive
sheet regularly developing use of feedback
reflection from tutors

6. Reflective Learning Journal
The act of writing things
to work out strategies down helps you to clarify
your thoughts and emotions
Why?
help you to see how you are
to focus on your
progressing from week to
development and progress
week and from term to term.

7. Reflective Learning Journal
Your feeling
about the
How your course Things you
studies find difficult
relate to real or
life challenges
How
different
What Change in
your
areas of attitude or
study link up
do you motivation
Ideas that
arise from
write? How you
tackle task
your studies
Thoughts Things you
about how find out
you learn about
best yourself

8. Reflective Learning Journal
Other uses of reflective learning journal
As a basis Preparing
Risky
for for
writing
discussion tutorials

9. Keep an updated profile or portfolio
Full content list
for each section
An up-to-date
What to Self-evaluation
and profile
of courses and
training
put in your sheets, planners
and action plans
portfolio?
A profile of
vocational and
technical skills
you have
developed

10. Keep an updated profile or portfolio
Certificate
An up-to-date
list of your work
Personal experience,
statement what you
learned from
doing that work
What to
put in
your
portfolio?
Examples of
your work and Your CV
interests
Your ideas
about where
you would like
to be

11. Evaluating your own progress
• Use these as starting points to focus your thinking about
Questionnaires your learning
and checklists • Select a few points from each questionnaire to consider in
your journal
Be fair to • When you decide that you are “good” or “bad” at
something, consider your reason for thinking that
yourself
Monitor your • Read through your journal regularly
performance • Comment on your progress.

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