The learning log/BLOG provides a way for you to record your course related learning activities and provide an opportunity to think about ideas discussed during class and reflect on what you learned during the class presentations, discussion and readings. Your learning log should focused on your learning and not degrade into a personal diary which is a chronological account of events that have occurred. It should reflect actual analysis, synthesis and interpretation of what you have learned. The learning log should provide you with an opportunity to identify relevant issues from the class material, allow you to make connections between what you have learned and your own personal experience and provide you a way to sort your ideas and thoughts into a cohesive whole.
Through your learning log you will demonstrate that you have given some critical thought to the material presented in the class and developed your own opinion of what you have learned.
The types of things that you might put into your learning logs are:
Questions to ask your self as you are writing your learning log:
- How clearly and concisely am I explaining the event that grabbed my attention and engaged my learning?
- What, specifically, have I learned from that will be of value as I develop as a manager?
- Am I just restating material presented in the class and in my readings or am I actually demonstrating analysis, synthesis, interpretation or insight?
- What are the connections I am making, what are the insights, what new idea, concept do I now possess?
- Why is this new knowledge useful?
- How is this applicable to my own personal situation?
- How does this relate to my own experience?
- How might I do things differently in the future now that I have this new knowledge?
- What have I actually learned?
Do I really believe what I am writing?