Abstract:

This paper aims to investigate the benefits of learning diaries in view for quality of university education. The study examines and provide knowledge of the learning diary for the students, lectures and managers involved in the education process. Learning is an active process in which multiple actors and support processes are involved. It is important and reasonable to consider and learn from reflections and views of the students for both their effective learning and education. Analyze the assessment and evaluation results under an integrative view is necessary for teaching and learning improvement. In the last years several evaluation and assessment tools were applied systematically to identify the level of performance of students and to determine the degree to which goals were attained. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is often promoted as an inclusive teaching methodology, involving several methods for assessment. Furthermore, questionnaires to measure students’ satisfaction were generally implemented. Yet, other tools, such a learning diary, are not of so common use, or not used as an integrative tool for assessment and evaluation. A learning diary is a review and reflection of the knowledge and abilities participants acquired during a specific event, such a course or topic. Basically, a learning diary reflects what students have learned from that part of the course, considering their prior own experiences, knowledge and related readings. The written diary also gives feedback to the lecturers and education managers on how students’ learning process has proceeded.

In our study, the research questions were:
i) explore the type of learning diaries written by the students (exploratory question, in nature);
ii) are there differences by individual or group writing of the learning diary?
iii) are there differences by country of living of the students?
iv) what benefits derived from the learning diary for education improvement in the course, compared with not having learning diary?

We collected learning diaries in a university intensive course on management, delivered to international students at a Finnish University from 2009 to 2021, in an annual basis. Learning diaries were gathered from 183 students from 15 nationalities. The length of the diaries was 1500-2000 words.

By responding the research questions, the paper advances the understanding on the use of learning diaries as a tool for integrative evaluation and assessment of student learning and education process. This paper discusses and contributes to the knowledge and benefits for the education process involving the students, lecturers and managers, including the registration and administrative processed and how improvement actions were designed and implemented under an integrative and holistic view.

Keywords:

Assessment, education, learning diary, university education.