Monitoring tools such as learning journals may help students do better in tests

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   3,492 pupils and students took part in 32 studies, aged 9 to 26 and about 17 on average. A quarter were in primary school, a quarter in secondary school and half in higher education.

2. 02

   What they did

   Learners used a tool such as a learning journal, portfolio or rubric to keep track of their own learning. Groups with no tool served as the comparison. The tools were used for about 13 weeks on average, and in half the studies a teacher gave feedback on the entries.

3. 03

   What happened

   On tests, learners who had a tool gained a moderate amount compared with the other groups. Gains in how they studied and in motivation were small. A check for missing studies found a pattern the authors put down to differences between studies, and the numbers don't always match.

What the review found

1. HelpedGoals

   Across 18 studies, learners with a tool scored higher on tests than other groups did.

   • Action: Track your progresstested

   Pooled analysis of 18 studies · vs groups with no tool · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 19 studies, learners with a tool said they used study strategies slightly more than other groups did.

   • Action: Track your progresstested

   Pooled analysis of 19 studies · vs groups with no tool · they rated themselves · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. HelpedMotivation

   Across 17 studies, learners with a tool said they were slightly more motivated than other groups did.

   • Action: Track your progresstested

   Pooled analysis of 17 studies · vs groups with no tool · they rated themselves · ⚠ signs that small negative studies went unpublished; mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source