Hi Julie,
Being able to reflect on past classes is really an underrated activity. I find much information from these notes, and also, they're kind of interesting to note my thinking at the time they were written.
Barry Westling
I maintain every 5 week student evaluation for each course taught. I read them carefully looking for any sonsistent messages or themes and make notes directly on the feedback forms. I keep the forms with the course materials to review and change (when needed) classroom activities.
Thanks...I'm excited to get started!
Hi Mitessa,
Yep! - Each teacher makes it thier own tool.
Barry Westling
Hi Edmund,
I like your suggestion about the historical significance of using a journal. Being able to reflect after some time has passed, perhaps even years, can reflect groth, perspective, maturity, and self determination for change. Few other activities can offer this unique kind of perspective.
Barry Westling
Ok, I am excited to beging using this tool! It was extremely encouraging to hear that there is no right or wrong way!...that was my next question...LOL!
A teaching journal helps with course reflection. When a lesson is completed the instructor should record their reflections on the success or failure of a class. The analysis of the responses will lead to an understanding of what needs to be changed or corrected or what teaching methods were successful.
Self reflection is aided by the use of a journal. It offers a historical perspective on the merits or drawbacks of certain teaching techniques and styles. Over a long period of time the journal may show what works with different class personalities and learning styles and what does not.
Hi Karen,
Since the journal is mostly only for your use you can choose what frequency fits your preferences. It may be once a day at times, then less frequently at other times. For me it's about observations, so my thought is whenever something important is observed, then journalize it. And by important I don't mean earth shattering, just something that might be useful or relative to reflect on at some future date.
Barry Westling
I have only been teaching in the venue that I am now for a short while. I really like the idea of keeping a journal of my classes since I am teaching a different subject every 5 weeks.
Is it better to keep a journal daily, weekly or at the end of every mod?
Thank you everyone for all the good information here.
Hi Juan,
"A good idea not remembered is but a vapor of hope" (Barry Westling). What I mean is if we are unable to recall needed information we will be undermining the fulness to which our instructional abilities are capable. So, your journal can capture those pearls of wisdom that come (but don't go, becuase they're recorded in your journal.
Barry Westling
Hi Barry,
I use the journal every time I start a class. The challenge is to make sure the information collected still applies to the material I'm teaching. This past year the book was replace with a different book and the lessons were different. I'm told a different book will be used this next quarter. I keep trying and look at the information I entered in the journal and determine how to use it.
Hi Juan,
Sounds like you're getting good use out of journalizing experiences!
Barry Westling
The teaching journal is a very good tool to help improve teaching and eliminate mistakes/teaching problem. We need to write in the journal after every class. We should include what went well and what could have been improved or done differently. The next time we are planning our class or the lesson we can look at the jounal and make the chances we noted in the journal.
Hi Amina,
For me, a teaching journal has no set format; in fact I would caution against trying to emulate someone else's personal choices about what to include in a journal. It can a chronological record, documentation of needs noted, observations how a class was or was not successful, student comments, a teachers personal notes, facts or information respository, needed resources, etc.
Barry Westling
I am with Shelly,would love to see a sample of this journal, what it looks like?and howw things are jotted down on a daily basis, this is where I need to make this big change,if anyone has a snapshot of this journal to share ,would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sheila,
Well, mistakes are going to occur. I like to refer to these as observations. If I see something and decide "whoa, I don't want to repeat that again", that's an observation, and a perfect place to note in a journal or something similar to a journal.
Barry Westling
Hi Sara,
Good - that's one perfect way to use a journal for your benefit. We encounter so much information continuously, the journal can be a way to help the teacher condense and recall essential information they don't want to overlook at a later date.
Barry Westling
It allows you to look back and see what worked in the classroom and what did not work for you in the classroom so that you do not make the same mistake twice.
By keeping an instructional journal it helps so that you are able to look back on previous lessons and evaluate how the lesson went before. If something didn'r quite work you can change it for the next time or if the materials you had for the lesson was too much you can adjust.
Abigail,
Good luck! Remember, a journal is for wahtever you want it to be (chronological record, to document observations, to make notations about student engagement), whatever. It for your personal use, and it may change it's theme and focus over time. Happy reflections!
Barry Westling
