The Personal Project process journal is a paper or electronic scrapbook diary that uses Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills to making their thinking visible. It is very similar to other process journals (e.g. Arts or Design journals), and yet supports different assessment criteria. I have seen, in the past, students complete absolutely gorgeous Arts-like journals that did not fit the requirements of the Personal Project journal. Thus, students must ensure that the work they collect is related to the assessment criteria given.

Including reflections that show…

  • Decisions made
  • Evaluating the success of their product as it relates to their learning goal
  • Reflections on troubleshooting problems
  • Drawing conclusions
  • Identifying obstacles
  • Problem solving
  • Connecting ideas
  • Using learning strategies
  • Using concepts across disciplines
  • Combining knowledge, understanding, and skills
  • Applying skills to new situations

Including tables, charts, or writing that show…

  • OPVL or CRAAP research analysis
  • tables showing collecting of data
  • Presenting information in different formats
  • Using Reference list and its accompanying in-text citations correctly
  • Reflections in which they discuss multiple perspectives

Including tables and reflections that show…

  • Timeline of finishing the project, with justifications, and reflections on how well the student kept to the timeline
  • Reflections on how the student’s time-management is going thus far
  • Evidence of managing their materials (e.g. pictures of equipment organised while building the product)
  • Screenshot showing how they organised their files (e.g. if making a documentary)
  • Perseverance – Reflection on over-coming frustrations or weariness
  • Identifying areas for growth or improvement
  •  

Reflections that show…

  • Advocating for themselves when a problem arose
  • Listening to other’s advice
  • Resolving conflict
  • Demonstrating leadership

Reflections that show…

  • Email correspondences
  • Interview transcripts
  • Feedback given from supervisor
  • Samples of writing (e.g. creating a brochure)
  • Notes taken while researching or interview
  • Research that uses subject-specific language
  • Tables demonstrating how information has been organised 

As you can see from the list, many of the reflections will hit several of the Approaches to Learning skills. E.g. a student who compiles information in a table is communicating, researching, and thinking. We tell students to tag their reflections with all the ATL skills that are relevant.