Reflection, insight, and empathy: uncommon outcomes in management education

This paper provides solid research support for the use of learning journal writing in undergraduate and graduate management education. Journal writing promotes deep learning, problem-solving skills, and insight through the reflective process, itself a crucial management skill. Guided and structured journal writing leads to greater integration of material, better ability to apply theory and methods to real world problems, and increased understanding of self and situations. Improvements have been seen in student empathy, confidence, and self-awareness. The journal writing / reflection and the review and feedback process create a powerful dialogue between learner and facilitator of learning, not often otherwise possible. A major contribution of this paper is its clear guidance to students and instructors on journal writing and journal assessment.