This activity encourages students to look at their learning journey so far, seeing what has shaped them. It also gives them an opportunity to look towards the future. The autobiography helps students reflect on the experiences in their educational life. It can also highlight what may be influencing their studies now.
It is important to note that this is a personal exercise and may touch on some sensitive issues. You may wish to discuss this with your Student Services worker before deciding to go ahead if you are concerned about any sensitive issues arising.
This is also a useful tool to look at career paths and how that may relate to your module.
Ask students to make notes under the following headlines:
1. What I liked most at Primary school
2. Who my favourite Primary school teacher was and why
3. What I learned at Primary school
4. When I was at Primary school I was a ……… pupil
5. What I wanted to be when I grew up when I was around age 8.
6. What I liked most at Secondary school
7. Who my favourite Secondary school teacher was and why
8. What I learned at Secondary school
9. What I wanted to be when I grew up when I was around age 14
10. When I was at Secondary school I was a ……… pupil
11. Where else I learnt apart from school (e.g. at clubs, music lessons, from a friend or relative).
12. What I know about myself as a learner
13. Where I see myself in 5 years time
Ask students to take the highlights of this and turn it into a one-page educational autobiography. Students discuss what they have learnt about themselves by doing this and how this may change their student behaviour in the future.
This is a good activity to complete in a module where writing is part of the assessment, especially reflective journals.
This works equally well in large groups as it is a solo activity with a group discussion to draw conclusions.
Students will have a clear idea of how they learn. This will help to navigate future learning challenges.
You may wish to use writing evaluation techniques to review the quality/format of the writing.
Worksheet for online use: www.musostudy.com/resources/2E/autobiography.doc
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