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One File Help & Support

E. Adding a Learning Journal Entry

A narrated video guide is available for this support resource and can be located at the bottom of the page.

The Learning journal area of One File is a public space accessible by all users attached to the portfolio, where the Learner can keep informal snippets of information, this might be a reflection on a mentoring workshop or on their week’s practice.

As an Employer, you have the ability to provide feedback to support learning and add entries to the journal stream, as well as simply review the entries that have been recorded throughout the course of the apprenticeship.

To access the Learning Journal tab of your Learner, you need to login to One File, and access the Learner’s portfolio by clicking on their profile card from the Learner Dashboard. The Learning Journal is located within the Activity tab in the Information and Options area of the Learner’s portfolio.

Please note depending on your user role and the centre features enabled, some icons displayed below will not appear when you access the Activity tab.

A screenshot of the Activity tab in One File for the Learner's portfolio. The icons displayed in order are: activity, assessment evidence, learning journal, notes, tasks, timesheets, visits.

How do I add a Learning Journal Entry?

To create a Learning Journal, follow the steps below:

  1. Click Learning Journal in the Activity Tab of the Learner’s portfolio.
  2. Next, select the “Welcome back! Click here to add a new journal entry” tab to create a new entry.
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. A tab is shown with the profile icon of the user account and the text displayed shows: 'Click here to add a learning journal entry'.
  1. Add your title, category, date, time started and duration.
  2. You will also have the chance to indicate whether the entry counts towards your off-the-job time.
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows the title, date, time started, duration and category fields. A drop down menu for category is expanded to reveal a list of categories. The work shading category is selected.
  1. Click into the “Type your reflection here” box to begin writing your reflective entry and then attach any related documents.
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows a text box with four questions to guide the reflective entry, and to the right is an upload attachments box.

The learning journal has two additional features that can be used to further develop your reflective entry, though they are optional:

  • Link to Elements of the Apprenticeship Standard – Users can highlight specific knowledges, skills and behaviours that are covered within their reflective journal entry. Please note that this does not generate progress towards the relevant learning aims and will not show in progress reports.
  • Link to Learning Activities – Journal entries can be associated with existing learning activities, the list of activities to select from is automatically populated from the timesheet entries and previous journal entries.
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows the criteria, link activity and privacy icons. It also displays the cancel and create buttons.
  1. Selecting the “Criteria” button will allow you to link your entry to elements of the apprenticeship standard (if required).
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows the link menu which allows the user to select individual criterion within the standard to associate with the entry. A list of criteria is shown with the first three options selected using a checkbox.
  1. Selecting the “Link Activity” button will allow you to associate the entry with a previous activity (if required).
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows the link activity menu. A timesheet entry is displayed with information concerning when and why this time was recorded. A search bar is shown at the top of the screen.
  1. Select your “privacy” option for the learning journal entry, these include:
    • Only your learning support team and your line manager. (Centre managers, assessors, IVs)
    • Only the learning support team and any external assessors or verifiers permitted by your centre. (Centre managers, assessors, IVs and EVs)
    • Only your learning support team. (Assessors, IVs)
    • Only you. (The specific user making the entry)
    • Anyone with access to your Learning Journal. This is controlled by your learning support team. (Centre manager and who they assign to the learner) 
  2. Click “Create” to make the post.
A screenshot of the Learning Journal in One File. This section shows the criteria, link activity and privacy icons. It also displays the cancel and create buttons.

Getting Started Video Guide – Adding a Learning Journal Entry

To access a narrated video guide on Adding a Learning Journal Entry, please click the thumbnail image below, which will redirect you to the relevant video hosted on the Panopto website. Please note that automatic captioning has been enabled on this video.

This image is a link to a Panopto video. The video will open in a new tab.

Please note: this support resource is specific to the Employer role within One File. The ‘Employer’ is an interactive role used in the assessment process, e.g. an employer or (expert) witness that may sign assessments and provide evidence for the Learner. If you are unsure of the user role you have been given, you can verify this by logging into One File, and reviewing the role listed underneath your full name, displayed in the profile card in the top-right of the homepage interface.

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