Backgrounds An introduction to learning journals

(Professional Context 1 Learning Journal)

The definition of a learning journal is multiple, coming in as many forms as there are people who keep them. Written, recorded, private, public, shared, visual, and so on, they are an ongoing record of reflection, which allow the keeper perspective on their thoughts and experience.

Extracts and examples show the variety, but all seem to share a mechanism for increasing self awareness. The study of journals themselves is becoming more of a subject of study in itself, sometimes to induce good practice amongst students.

Jennifer Moon.

Extract from Moon J, (2006) Learning Journals:  A handbook for Reflective Practice and Professional Development, Routledge London. 

Epistemologist. specialist in the branch of philosophy which studies the nature of knowledge and truth. Unrelated to critical thinking which is more allied to systems and methods. Epistemology investigates the origins and and limits of knowledge.


Reflection

This and other texts about journals and reflective practice mention an increasing study and practice of learning journals amongst Art graduate study in recent years. Although I left University before this was integrated into my course, I have much of my own material to draw on.

Over years, I have on and off written an enormous amount of self reflective material, in diary form, about life and experiences, and about art and intention. In fact I had gigantic amount of material, some of which still carried from childhood. This also recorded some traumatic and difficult events - life, you know.

At different times over the years I have sorted it out, and two or three years ago I made an enormous decision and spent more time sorting through, clearing out, shredding, burning, archiving, rereading, and so on.

While there is undoubtedly enormous value, reflective, creative and cathartic, in doing and keeping such material, it must also be acknowledged how burdensome it can be to drag around such emotional baggage and evidence of past ways of thinking. It really can prevent moving on and putting things to rest, giving things their natural times and cycles to resolve. 


I made a decision which I still keep which is to put all that energy into actual work, and not endless writing about working, or about what was stopping me working. I have very evolved and pragmatic systems of listmaking and writing when I work and do other things, but I no longer keep everything, just all the bits which are useful to me.


When it comes to art, I have a vivid recall of every moment of process when I look at past sketches, photos, etc. I have integrated into my personal archive the journal of my thoughts and processes, which is partly why, I realise, that I never want to give away or sell original work, unless it is a multiple, as I have a great need to retain my visual journey. My art and writing is my learning journal.


6th April 2011