The Learning Autobiography

What do you know about yourself?

Learning Autobiographies (LABs)

LABs provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your writing abilities, and for them to be assessed.

You get to reflect on and evaluate your prior learning experiences, significant people and/or events in your life, and your goals, values and philosophy.

LABs help you to plan your future academic endeavors.

LABs begin the relationship between you and Ottawa University by building confidence, trust and mutual respect.

LAB Topics

#1 Formal and Informal Education

#2 Significant People and Significant Events

#3 Future Goals, Philosophy, Values and Obstacles

Just The Basics

Lab #1 – You will be discussing your informal and formal learning experiences.

Lab #2 – You will be discussing significant people or events in your life.

Lab #3 – You will be discussing your goals and values and your philosophy of life and relate this information to your quest for higher education here at Ottawa University.

(Additional details will be provided for each LAB)

Suggestions

Use a timeline of events and people to get you started in thinking about your past.

Discuss “what”, “why” and the result of events.

Key words – choose, describe and reflect. In other words, choose a topic, describe it, reflect on it… Then write about it.

Components or Main Headings

Introduction - Introduce your subject and provide the reader with a general idea of what the essay will cover.

Body of Literature or Middle Section Headings - Provide one or more main headings that relate to the topics you are discussing. Tell a brief story in this section.

Conclusion – Summarize and stress your key points but avoid repeating earlier points word for word.

Benefits of LABS

Through reflection of your…

learning experiences significant people and/or events and your goals and philosophies,

You’ll be able to understand… what’s important to you who you can look to as a role model what your goals are and what obstacles you may face.

Having clarity on your past and

understanding what you value will help you

to better plan your future.