Reflective Journals for Postgraduate Students' Learning: An Australian Case Study Dr. Tomayess Issa, Dr. Theodora Issa, School of Information Systems, Curtin University, Perth, Australia, Pedro Isaias Overview: This paper examines the value of learning through reflective journal assessment in postgraduate units at Curtin University. Stream: Technology in Learning

This session title was a little misleading the focus was on students undertaking weekly journaling activities so they could develop a portfolio. One of the first ones the students were taught was how to critique an article having read one in depth so they could use these skills towards other journaling activities. The students undertook seven independent journaling tasks and three group ones and they all had criteria that were common to all activities but the focus was on students gaining critical discussion skills. The journal weekly activities ranged from critiquing an article to writing a summary about one to comparing articles.

The study was conducted to see how the students found these activities in terms of preparing them for their portfolio. Data was collected both informally during the module and at the end and there were 20 students involved.

The students enjoyed the weekly journal activities and learnt more than just critical discussion they felt they had gained skills in reading properly and critically, in research and finding information and in collaboration with others.

The student has now been extended to three further cohorts with similar results.