Absolutely! It gives you a chance to review your lectures notes and improve weaknesses by adding or removing information.
Kevin,
Great! The (overused) quote by Einstein is still poignant: "insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result". Trial and error is as much a part of instruction as tried and true. Journals are a great way to learn about the current self, and also to reflect on in the future. This can reveal growth, improvement, and allow fine tuning our approach to various topics.
Barry Westling
Dr. Westling,
I would like to begin by referring to your reply to Mr. Adams who was alluding to the fact that “A teacher’s journal is a snap shot of past, present, and future.†You stated as listed above, that “Reflection on what has been helps create what will be." I could not agree more.
There is an old saying which states something to the fact that “those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat itâ€. I feel this is very applicable to teaching. Although, I have been in my field for 11 + years I have only been an instructor for the past 2 ½ years.
I will admit when I first started, I naively thought all I had to do was create a Power point, read it, and tell some interesting stories from my time in the field. Now I realize teaching is so much more! When things went wrong, I just wanted to leave it all behind me and move on, but I realized that if I did not reflect on my situation; no matter how uncomfortable or dare I say painful that it was, I would never have the opportunity to improve as an educator, and provide better instruction to my students as well. Once I began to reflect on each class, I saw the pitfalls and the triumphs more clearly, and the next time I taught the same course I am happy to say that it was received much better, and in turn was a much more enjoyable experience not only for the students, but for myself as well!
Douglas,
Yes, and besides individual lessons, often I find I think of ideas (possible or not), resources I need, points I want add, or even observations about indivdual students. Occassionaly I've gone back to read and reflect on these student comments. Very interesting reading most of the time.
Barry Westling
Using a teaching journal helps you to reflect on how the lesson went and how it was received by the students. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to document changes that need to be made to the lesson the next time that you are scheduled to teach it.
Kiona,
Great. Teachers who journalize regularly find frenndous benefit, reflection, and observe personal growth and improvement over time.
Barry Westling
I have only been instructing now for about 4 months and find this idea of journaling to be genius! I have been trying to figure out the best way to tackle my classes that I know need improvement. I journal about everyday things and note what was good and what needs improvement, so why not do it for teaching! This makes me get a bit excited about teaching my next class!!
Qadar,
Teachers that use a journal find it helps them document key events, record observations, student performance or pertinent information they want to refer back to at a later date. Reflection on the notetaking often reveals growth, and personal self awareness of changes over time. It's really a invaluable resource.
Barry Westling
I teach EHR (Electronic Health Records). Student are required to write Journal about the EHR:
-History
-Advantages
-Disadvantages
-Future of EHR
They gather the information about this Journal from the internet and the Library. It helps them Understand better the Subjet.
Skip,
Electronic records makes saving, editing and access so easy. That's wonderful that you're able to store notes and observations easily and essentially forever! I find labling files and folers critical in order to avoid having to fish around all sorts of places to find what I'm seeking.
Barry Westling
I teach in the (digital) visual arts and I have been developing a curriculum for 2 different course for the past 4 years... I try to assess and reassess at the end of every 10 week term... I try to evaluate the things that worked well and the things that did not work so well...
Because we are digitally based I have been able to save and label the the in-class files that I use... I try refine some in-class projects - get rid of others and introduce new projects as needed. But the beauty of this is that everything is digital so I can save and label the date & term I used the project files for reference in the future. It has allowed me to continually refine each project and to grow the curriculum over-time.
Harold,
Tracking is a good thing because reflecting back reveal much about what worked, what did'nt work, ideas about what to try, and for many, it camn reflect growth over time. When I look at many of the things I wrote, thought were important and felt passionate about even just 5-years ago look strangely different than my interests and focus today.
Barry Westling
It lets you track were you are and how you are doing through out the course cycle.
Cassie,
There is no one method that works for all. In fact, variety in that what works for you is the best way. Good luck as you experiment.
Barry Westling
I am a new instructor and already realize the value of a journal. I HAVE NOT however implemented writing in one yet. I feel I almost need to keep a small note pad to make little notes during class and lab activities so I dont' forget them. By the time I get back to my desk either the energy/motivation to commit to recording my thoughts is gone and spent on my lectures and students after class. Any other suggestions?
Karissa,
I think there is so much going on around us that if we stop and tune in to it all, we would be flooded with ideas for improvements, needs, observations, analysis, contemplation, etc. How anyone can keep track of these wonderful pearls of information we may want to refer back to without recording or documenting them somehow is beyond me. How one chooses to record this information is as varied as the individuals. A journal, diary, or whatever we call it, it's an extremely valuable tool.
Barry Westling
I feel like keeping a journal helps to keep track of what is and is not working in the classroom. To have a record of what you're doing will help to narrow down what needs to improve and what can stay as is, ultimately making you a better teacher with each class.
Susan,
Time well spent when it benefits students. An overused axiom these days, "insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result" (A. Einstein).
Barry Westling
Kundukisa,
Experience is a good teacher. But those experiences we learn from are valuable only to the degree we make changes or remember from the past, and the journal is the perfect place to record them.
Barry Westling
QUINTIN,
Right. If we want to see improvement, something different has to occur. A journal is the perfect place to keep track of this all.
Barry Westling
