Academic Benefits

Visual journals also give students many more opportunities to work with different art materials. There is not always enough time to explore lots of different materials in art but the visual journal gives the students the freedom to explore anything they want. This exploration can lead to self-discoveries as well as success. Many students struggle academically and doing the visual journal there is no way they can do it wrong. Many students struggle with this idea and freedom but it is important that they feel successful in order to enjoy school and want to participate.

SEL Benefits

Another benefit for having students do the visual journal is that it can be used academically. Drawing and writing involve familiar processes that are identical. Many students have troubles starting their writings so it would be beneficial to have them reference back to their drawings for ideas to write about. They could also be used for illustrating a book, and it is suggested to have students illustrate before they write as children think with images before they think with words.