POLs are an overarching tool for students, allowing them to pause in learning, reflect, synthesize, and analyze. They consider both personal and academic growth, link their learning to past learning, and project future learning goals.

Students present themselves as learners to an audience composed of a variety of their peers, staff, family, experts, and friends.  Guests are guided to ask questions of the student, forcing extemporaneous thinking and response. Students as young as four years old give POLs to outside audiences.