In the previous blog posts, we looked at becoming a learning machine through reflection and how to reflect. Reflection or reflective practice is a way to learn from our own experiences with the objective to improve the way we think and act. Reflective practice can be applied to any experience we can learn from whether it is something that happened, a book we read, a movie we watched, teaching material and so on.
This reflective learning process will be more powerful if it is documented in a learning portfolio. A learning portfolio is the documentation and writing of reflective learning experiences using the frameworks and questions described in the previous blog as guidance. Writing is a very powerful tool that helps clarify thoughts to enhance reflection and learning.
Learning portfolios are used in formal learning environments. Before graduating as teachers, students doing their practical experience must document their learning in a learning portfolio which is assessed before they can graduate. I believe in creating your own personal learning portfolio to document your own learning.
Your learning portfolio may be something as simple as a diary or a document in your computer where you often write your thoughts and reflections. Ideally, every day. This blog is also a way for me to document and share what I learn. By writing and sharing you are forcing yourself to be clearer with your own thoughts and reflections.
By reflecting on your experiences, learning from them, and documenting them, you will benefit in several ways including:
- Having a positive attitude toward negative experiences such as mistakes/failures
- Faster and continuous improvement
- Increased self-awareness
- Developing critical thinking
- Being able to share and teach your own learning to others
The first one is for me crucial. Trying things and reflecting on failures and painful experiences is the key to learning and getting better. In the next blog post we will look at what happens when reflecting on painful experiences is avoided. In the meanwhile, consider starting your own personal learning portfolio.
Make and impact,
Pablo
Image by Manfred Steger from Pixabay.