What is a Reflective Journal?

Dictionary definitions-
Reflect: go back in thought, meditate or consult with oneself, remind oneself or consider(that, how, etc.). (Concise Oxford Dictionary 1985)
Journal: A book in which daily recordings, happenings, etc is kept. (New Collins Concise Dictionary 1986)

I wanted to start with just a snap shot comment of what is reflection in practice within a more art and design context; someone who seeks to answer questions that are relevant to their working practice. 'A particular activity of professional practitioners and involves thinking about what we are doing and reshaping action while we are doing it, in a sense it is improvisational and relies on feeling, response and adjustment. (Schon 1983, chapter 3, p. 78)

I felt that the comment made by (Gray and Malins, 2004, p. 58) is a particularly succinct in defining the purpose of a reflective journal. 'Using the reflective journal as a tool for 'off-loading'- presumably because they allow the learner to take stock, evaluate and 'deposit' ideas and feelings about the learning experience. This kind of 'off-loading' enables the learner to continue the cycle 'unburdened'as it were and to be ready for new learning experiences'.

A reflective journal can be made up of different forms of information visual/ literal/ interactive/ object, etc.

It's a collection of recordings, not necessarily a book but it does tend to lend itself well to one, however some people of the more digital ilk may prefer to use video diaries or more open interactive devises such as blogs.

The journal should be interactive- something to be used regularly with an element of spontaneity, recording responses to issues of the now - the actions taken  to resolve or consider or future developments. It is not something to be created as an outcome; it may be added to indefinitely and informs the whole journey and experience good and bad.

The content of the reflective journal is multiple, it may include technical investigation, recording findings from experimental practice and developments to inform process and techniques, therefore allowing one to revisit and apply this information in recreating ideas.
A personal diary, commenting on the highs and lows of experimentations, an external recording of our thoughts and rationale for what and why we are doing what we do.'Talking to ourselves' - making sense of events, actions, feelings and rehearsing for new situations. If some of your 'converstations' can be captured and visualised this contributes to your growing understanding' (Gray and Malins 2004 p. 59)
Recording the progression of work, is it appropriate for the intention, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses but also allowing considerations for how mistakes have potential, positive attributes, inclusive of timescales, financial  and resource implications.
Contextual research a considered and reviewed inclusion to provide additional information to support your own ideas, included for a purpose not just a source of pretty pictures - visually it may act as a source of inspiration or may offer technical or theoretical advise and advancements for present and future work.

A reflective journal is invaluable, it offers others and oneself an insight into the journey lifelong of specific. It provides information to be reviewed, researched or revisited.




Bibliography:

Gray, C. and Malins, J. (2004) Visualising Research: A guide to the Research Process in Art and Design (Surrey: Ashgate pub. ltd.)

Schon, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action  (New York Basic Books)