Reflective Journals

Reflective Journals: Reflective journals can be an important assessment tool by allowing the student an opportunity to demonstrate their observational and analytical processes as well as allowing themselves and educators to see concrete examples of growth.

Strengths: Students can explain in their own words their perceptions and connections that they are making with the subject matter. Students can refer to the reflections for the rest of their lives which gives them insights into their own thinking and can demonstrate the growth they have made.

Weaknesses: If reflections are not done in a timely manner the reflections my not be an honest example of student growth. If students do not understand the value of reflection assignments they may see them as “busy work” and not produce assignments that are lacking in quality.