ATL Skills Through the Personal Project
What is Process Journal?
Contents
Process Journal Guide
Year 11 Students
📖 What is a Process Journal?
Purpose & Function
Documents your complete project development process to:
- Demonstrate thinking processes and decision-making
- Showcase ATL skills development
- Evidence working behaviors and academic integrity
- Support all three MYP project objectives
Essential Requirements
- Process over product: Document learning journey, not final outcomes
- Prioritize reflection: Critical thinking over presentation quality
- Google Docs required: Mandatory platform
- ATL connections: Link evidence to specific skills
- Regular meetings: Present evidence to supervisor
✅ What Evidence IS
Diverse documentation demonstrating learning process and ATL skill connections
📸 Visual
- Progress photos
- Research screenshots
- Sketches/diagrams
- Mind maps
- Technical drawings
- Project timelines
- Prototype images
- Work iterations
📝 Written
- Interview transcripts
- Email correspondence
- Research notes
- Analytical summaries
- Reflective analysis
- Meeting notes
- Learning logs
- Observations
📊 Organizational
- Action plans
- Project timelines
- Data tables/charts
- Progress tracking
- Goal documentation
- Resource records
- Risk assessments
- Planning revisions
🎯 Learning
- Problem-solving methods
- Skill development records
- Feedback analysis
- Critical reflections
- Challenge documentation
- Growth evidence
- Strategy adaptations
- Learning connections
❌ What Evidence IS NOT
⚠️ Your process journal should NOT include:
⏰ Timing Issues
- Completing journal while writing final report
- Backdating entries after completion
- Creating evidence retrospectively
- Forging learning experiences
- Adding fake timestamps
- Reconstructing process from memory
- Last-minute documentation
📋 Surface Documentation
- Simple task lists
- Basic facts without analysis
- Copied source material
- Generic templates
- Superficial observations
- Copy-paste information
- Basic diary entries
- Unprocessed data
- Raw information dumps
🎯 Key Principle
Process-Centered
Show how you developed understanding, not what you produced.
✅ Include Instead
- Challenges overcome
- Evolving perspectives
- Problem-solving strategies
- Mistakes and learning
- Decision-making processes
- Thought development
- Critical analysis
Remember: Extract information and evidence from your process journal to guide your report writing, but never forge learning evidence or complete your journal while writing your final report.
🔗 Connecting Evidence to ATL Skills
Each evidence piece must demonstrate specific ATL skill development:
🧠 Critical Thinking
Evidence: Analysis diagram comparing project approaches
Connection: "Shows critical thinking as I evaluated methodology advantages/limitations."
🔍 Research Skills
Evidence: Source evaluation matrix with credibility criteria
Connection: "Demonstrates information literacy through systematic source assessment."
🤝 Social Skills
Evidence: Collaboration reflection after interviews
Connection: "Shows collaboration skill development with diverse stakeholders."
💬 Communication
Evidence: Professional emails with experts
Connection: "Evidence of professional communication skill development."
⏰ Self-Management
Evidence: Revised timeline with adaptation strategies
Connection: "Shows organizational skills and adaptive planning."
🎨 Creative Thinking
Evidence: Brainstorming notes with idea development
Connection: "Demonstrates creative thinking through innovative solution generation."
🎯 ATL Skills Reference
Thinking Skills
Creative Thinking:
Brainstorm unique solutions when facing project challenges
Critical Thinking:
Analyze sources for bias, reliability, and different perspectives
Transfer:
Apply knowledge from other subjects to strengthen your project
Problem Solving:
Break down complex challenges into manageable steps
Self-Management Skills
Affective Skills:
Manage stress, stay motivated during setbacks, seek help when needed
Organization:
Create timelines, track progress, manage deadlines effectively
Reflection:
Journal about learning, evaluate progress, adjust strategies
Goal Setting:
Set specific, achievable milestones throughout your project
Communication & Social Skills
Expert Interviews:
Prepare thoughtful questions for specialists in your field
Presentations:
Tailor your message to engage different audiences effectively
Report Writing:
Express complex ideas clearly and persuasively
Digital Platforms:
Use technology to share your work and connect with others
Visual Communication:
Create infographics, charts, or videos to explain concepts
Collaboration:
Give and receive constructive criticism to improve your work
Research Skills
Source Evaluation:
Check credibility, currency, and relevance of information
Search Strategies:
Use keywords, databases, and filters to find quality sources
Media Analysis:
Understand bias and perspective in different media formats
Citation:
Give proper academic credit to all your sources and references
Data Collection:
Design surveys, interviews, or experiments to gather information
Knowledge Sharing:
Learn from others and contribute to group discussions
📋 Expectations & Guidelines
✅ MYP Assessment Criteria
Criterion A: Planning • Criterion B: Applying Skills • Criterion C: Reflecting
Consistent developmental progress • Clear ATL connections • Authentic reflection on achievements/challenges
💡 Documentation Strategies
- Document continuously
- Include revisions/iterations
- Provide context explanations
- Honest reflection on setbacks
- Chronological organization
- Connect to ATL skills
- Include successes/failures
- Show thinking evolution
🚀 Reflection Questions
- Which ATL skill shown?
- How did this skill help achieve your learning goal?
- How did this skill help achieve your product goal?
- What went well... Even better if...
- I used to think... now I think...
- What challenged your thinking?
- What would you do differently next time?
🎉 Success Tips
- Quality over quantity
- Specific reflections
- Show thinking process
- Include visuals
- Date all entries
⚡ Final Reminder
Your journal shows intellectual development. Prioritize authentic reflection over presentation.
Documentation Complete
Document. Reflect. Connect.
Free Resource Download
You can download the PDF document by filling out the form below.
