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Teaching in Engineering Education

Innovative Assessment

Assessing Internship and Industrial Placement

Please cite as follows: Chan, CKY (2015). "Assessing Internship and Industrial Placement", Engineering Education Enhancement and Research Asia (E3R Asia).

Reflective Journal

What is Reflective Journal?

Reflective journal is a written series of students’ ideas, personal thoughts, experiences, reflections, and insights gained during and after their internship/placement. It provides a record of students’ internship/placement activities.

Examples

Example 1:  Internship at the University of Toronto, Mississauga

In their internship courses, The University of Toronto Mississauga (2011) requires students to complete a learning journal as one of the assessment components (others include class meetings/workshops, an oral presentation, and a portfolio). The learning journal functions as a review and analysis of the student’s accomplishments during the internship/placement. Entries must be entered chronologically with date and number of hours worked recorded. The learning journal also contains the industrial supervisor’s/tutor’s feedback and suggestions regarding the internship/placement.

Example 2:  Summer Practical Training at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

In the Summer Practical Training of their Electrical Engineering program, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (n.d.) requires students to keep a weekly training journal to identify their training progress. According to their subject description form, the journal should cover the following:

  • Location of the training;
  • Overview of the host organization;
  • The student’s roles and responsibilities;
  • Required skills and knowledge;
  • Development and growth of skills and knowledge;
  • Learning experiences and learning outcomes;
  • Effects of training on future career goals.

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