James,
Reviewing past notations is extremely valuable, and can only occur if an instructor has been diligent to make personal comments and observations over a stretch of time. That's where reflection, self assessment and internal inquiry can be examined.
Barry Westling
This works well for me when I am teaching a course I've had before. I can improve on areas where my students struggled before and also use notes on things that went especially well. I just use a simple notebook for my journal but a trying to figure out how to store on my iPad soon.
David,
Since the journal is a personal account of comments, observations, personal notes, it really does help the instructor determine what could be improved on, and perhaps contriburte to a strategic map and gameplan on how to approach achieving those needed improvements.
Barry Westling
I have used a journal in the past. This helps to realize the shortcomings of the material , the need to prepare more in certain areaas, and shows what needs to be improved upon and what strengths need to be shared with colleaques. The thing I find most useful is the ability to monitor not only the class but yourself as an instructor. It allows for solid evidence of strengths, weakneses, opportunities, and threats. These items then can be analyzed and a plan of action to improve can be manifested.
Richard,
Very nice. This is one of the great benefits using a teaching journal provides. The cool thing is these comments are our own, and no one ever needs to read and reflect on the contents (without our permission).
Barry Westling
I teach the same math courses quarter after quarter. As I prepare my Course Outlines, I can look at my journals to determine if I scheduled too much (or not enough) time to each concept. This helps me adjust the amount of time I allocate to the concept the next quarter if necessary. It also helps me understand which procedures worked and which ones did not work.
Abdul,
Tracking past successes and learning moments is extremely valuable, especially if one moves from one work setting to another. Past experience is great to transfer when circumstances move us along to another workplace.
Barry Westling
Having a teaching journal helped keep all my thoughts and ideas organized, which came in handy once I get transfered from school to school.
Deborah,
The most amazing thing about journals is the ability to back over time to see changes, improvements, and how I viewed things at the time. Quite an invaluable resource.
Barry Westling
Using a Teaching Journal is very beneficial for me. I have been teaching for 10 years now and it has enabled me to see how I have progressed ans a teach/instructor. I can easily look back and see what has worked and what has not and it also helps me when I consult with my co-workers to see what they are doing. It keeps me organized and on task in the classroom and helps me plan newer, refreshed presentations in the classroom
Melissa,
It's interesting that even teaching the same courses over and over, year after year, how much change, adjustments, and notes about what has worked and what could be improved on. I've found the necessity of keeping a record is required for me to remember all the ideas and observations I have, and a journal serves this need nicely.
Barry Westling
I think keeping a teching journal helps because you can make notes on what does and doesn't work for each of your classes. If you are able to teach the same class over and over you can refer to your notes to help you improve upon how to deliever the content better, as well as get an idea if there is certain content in the class that is harder to teach, and then you can spend more time on the hard content and maybe a little less time on the easier content.
Melissa
Vicki,
Right. I jot notes, impressions, needs, changes, responses, and other comments. Two purposes for me. One is to serve as a reminder about curricular ideas I might forget. The other is as a reflection record regarding how I view things at the time, and for review at a later time.
Barry Westling
By using a teaching journal you can see what has worked and what has not worked in the past. It will help to keep you organized as an instructor. The journal can also help you to plan your classes and to try new instructional ideas in the classroom.
Stephanie,
Great. Instructors who regularly use a journal find both the discipline of making notations, and the reflecting on the personal comments made weeks, months, or even years later are very instructive, and contribute to growth and improved competence.
Barry Westling
A teaching journal can help out tremendously, because you may not teach that material for a while. I know in current teaching role, I teach the material every 7 months, and if I kept a teaching journal, I would know what worked best or worst for that course. If I had good notes I can make changes for the best, and then see how the outcome was. It may take a few tries, but eventually you will discover what worked the best, and now have a more successful outcome with your students. I plan on using a teaching journal, for my next course.
Leticia,
Sounds great! I find looking at past notes an interesting activity, especially information I noted about students at the beginning of their t6raining and and tracking any notes I made near the end. Sometimes a trend is noted, other times students turn out doing surprising well. Reflecting is always good.
Barry Westling
I keep a teaching journal for each MOD that I teach. It helps me list ideas and things that worked and didn't work. I note the type of class I had while teaching. I place the class in categories such as studious, behavioral issues, and not focused but very smart. It helps me change up my lesson plans and remind me of how I taught a previous class. I love keeping my journal.
Barbara,
Good point. It's true that each cohort is a bit different and being able to try new or past activities that have proved successful can be very effective, and of course, a journal is a great way to memorialize those various activities, thoughts, and personal observations.
Barry Westling
I too create a course reflection at the end of each module. It is interesting that after teaching the same class multiple times, to different groups of students, the classroom dynamic is always different. A journal allows you to not only correct past mistakes, but also to draw on previous discarded approaches that might be a better fit for the current group. What didn't work with one cohort, can sometimes be a better fit.
