A reflective journal assessment module for strengthening critical thinking and student mental well-being in higher education

Kamarulzaman, Wirawani (2026) A reflective journal assessment module for strengthening critical thinking and student mental well-being in higher education. International Journal of Advances Research in Education and Society, 8 (6). pp. 1-11. E-ISSN 2682-8138

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Abstract

This paper presents the development of a Reflective Journal Assessment Module designed to strengthen critical thinking, reflective capacity, and mental well-being among university students. The module is a research-based educational product derived from two qualitative studies on reflective journaling: one study examined reflective journaling as an assessment tool for promoting students’ mental well-being, while the other explored how reflective journaling reveals critical thinking dispositions among Malaysian undergraduates. Drawing on the findings of both studies and supported by recent scholarship on reflective writing in higher education, the module integrates cognitive, metacognitive, and affective dimensions of reflection into a structured assessment framework. The mental well-being study highlighted the role of reflective journaling in encouraging positive thinking, self-awareness, emotional expression, anxiety management, perspective-taking, and problem-solving. The critical thinking study identified seven dispositions demonstrated through reflective journals, namely cognitive maturity, analyticity, critical thinking self-confidence, systematicity, open-mindedness, truth-seeking, and inquisitiveness. Based on these empirical foundations, the module guides educators through instructional phases, writing steps, prompts, journal formats, assessment rubrics, and feedback strategies. The paper positions the module as an educational innovation that bridges academic assessment, critical thinking development, and student well-being support. It contributes to higher education practice by offering a structured, adaptable, and evidence-informed tool for embedding reflective practice within teaching and learning while responding to current calls for authentic, developmental, and holistic assessment.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	critical thinking dispositions, critical thinking skills, higher education, mental well-being, module development, reflective journal assessment, reflective practice
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1050.9 Educational psychology L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Education Kulliyyah of Education > Department of Educational Psychology & Counseling
Depositing User:	Dr Wirawani Kamarulzaman
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2026 16:34
Last Update:	21 Oct 2026 16:44
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5764
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132156
Indexed In:	MyCite

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