Introduction

• What is journalling?

• What is a portfolio?

Journalling

Journalling, outside educational contexts, is a modern term for an age-old activity. It is commonly understood as a reflective, and often therapeutic, practice that involves keeping a written record of one's personal experiences, thoughts and emotions.

The process of journalling can help individuals understand and process their experiences, foster personal growth and self-awareness and promote emotional well-being.

Journalling can also be used for learning purposes, as it can help people process information and reflect on their experiences. By writing about what they have learned, individuals can solidify their understanding of new information and identify areas where they may need further clarification. In educational contexts, journalling can be used as a tool for students to reflect on their learning and connect new information to prior knowledge (transfer), which can enhance their understanding of a subject and promote deeper learning. This latter point makes it an ideal tool for any IB learner.

Portfolios

A portfolio is a collection of evidence that documents and showcases a person's skills, experiences, achievements and growth.

Most commonly used in art and design, portfolios are used in a variety of contexts, including education, career development and personal growth. In education, portfolios are used as a way to assess student learning and progress. In an educational context, portfolios can be used to document and showcase a student's learning progress, achievements and skills over time.

Portfolios can include a variety of artefacts, such as written work, visual evidence, projects, tests and reflections, that demonstrate the student's mastery of a particular subject or skill. By using portfolios, educators can gain a more comprehensive understanding of a student's abilities and areas for improvement, and students can reflect on their growth and learning over time. Portfolios can be used in all stages of education and can be used in a variety of subjects.

For this guide, I am using ‘journal’ and ‘portfolio’ interchangeably as a repository for student work.