Learning Logs

Learning Logs are all about active reflection to do with some relevant aspect of the week’s
reading based on content in the textbook or understanding derived from the learning
process. Learning logs focus on content covered during the week, and not about personal
opinion or private feelings. It is possible to register feelings that relate to what is being
studied in class, however. Please note unlike a journal the Learning Log method is all about
getting you from point A (limited understanding, experience, and knowledge) to point B
(informed, knowledgeable from a theoretical and practical standpoint).
The question of voice (style) is in the 3rd person; with only an occasional reference to (me,
my, and I) word limit to 100 to 250 words (attachments are optional; attach references as
need be)
A learning log entry can happen at any time during class, depending upon the topic at hand
and your purpose. Members of the teaching team are able to prompt and encourage. Here’s
one typical instance — “Based upon what you have read and studied so far, explain whether
your initial predictions about the nature of a management competency are correct or off
target”.
Writing up a Learning Log entry involves “thinking time”, “writing” and “rereading” of entries
at a later point. Some recasting or revision might be needed or your thinking might have
changed or advanced. The point is the learning log is about being an active reader and
active thinker and using processing skills like interpretation, explanation, justification,
evaluation and revision to build your understanding and working knowledge of management
as a theoretical discipline and a practice.
If you’re inclined to use some form of graphic organiser like a sketch, mind map or a drawing
include this as an attachment to your formally written log entry. If visual cues are your thing
then a sketch or mind map or series of doodles might just be what you need to crystallise
and capture your thoughts, ideas, and preformed notions on paper (attach image).
A very handy template you can use is a 2 x 2 matrix (a sheet of paper folded twice produces
4 rectangles. Each quadrant helps you to register:
1. Your prediction (what strategy have you elected; guesswork, hunch, scan, preview)
2. Questions to ask as you reading (Cueing)
3. A summary statement (reliability or validity check)
4. Where you are at, or your take on an issue or competency and how you might
resolve the issue or apply the competency.
The Learning Log is ultimately about building and layering your understanding of
management competencies so that you are not clueless when it comes to writing your
midterm and end-of-term reports.
Learning log entries cover topical content from the text that is in focus during workshops? (i)
a précis of what you have been reading (ii) a statement of facts you have learnt and
understood (iii) and how this learning ties into the standard question(s) provided during the
workshop (refer to your lecturer)
The Method:
Part 1: Start with a simple sentence about what happened or what aspect of the
reading was in focus during the workshop.
Part 2: What have you learnt? Use 2 or more sentences to elaborate facts and
understanding
Part 3: Answer the essential question which comes from the workshop’s standard
question or objective.

Standard workshop questions or objectives

• Which of the competencies has been the most difficult for you to understand so far?
Analyze what it is about the competency that makes it challenging.
• Which standpoint or passage from the module we’ve been reading so far in the unit
that you have found the most interesting? Explain your answer.
• One competency the class has studied during this unit is ___________. Why do you
think this competency has been included as part of the unit?
• Write about the importance of mastering the competency for general application.
Comment on whether during your observations the competency has been part of
your focus and why.
• Write about an idea or concept in the text that confuses you. What is it that you find
particularly hard to understand? What could you do to gain a better understanding of
this idea or concept?
• Identify the key points raised in the text material you’ve been reading. Explain how
these points relate to or remind you of observations about management or skills a
manager demonstrated recently.
• Argue for or against an aspect of a managerial competence you are studying or have
studied so far.
• Write about an upcoming observation. List the aspects you might expect to be
demonstrated.
• Consider how your thinking about management is changing as a result of
observations, or conversations so far in the unit. How has class discussion, reading,
or class activity influenced the way you think about management right now?
• Discuss what you have been reading with a specific audience— a colleague, a friend,
a relative, or even a confidante.

References

Billmeyer, R. (2006). Strategies to engage the mind of the learner: Creating strategic
learners: Omaha, NE: Rachel & Associates.
Friesner, T., & Hart, M. (2005). Learning Logs: Assessment or Research Method? The
Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology, 3(2), 117-122.