Using a teaching journal will help you track what is working and what is not working, both are super important in becoming a great instructor.
Bobbi Bricker
Hi Cheryl:
Good comments. Teachers find many ways to use the information they record in their journals. Overall, it takes a little bit of time but the information can be quite helpful. I notice that I get ideas but if I don't document them somewhere they get lost or forgotten. A journal can help.
I also use a lot of post-it notes to add to the cuurulum binder pages. Then, I'll review these and either add the information when that page is updated, or discard it it is no longer useful.
Regards, Barry
a journal is a great way to remember what happens in a class from 1 term to another. it is also a good way to evaluate the success of a teaching technique or project that you may have tried.
Hi Susan:
Your personal reflections are invaluable, because they are yours, and that makes them them unique. They provide both a record and a method of expressing your thoughts. Journalizing does take time. But it doesn't have to take a lot of time. I've heard "5-minutes immediately after class" more times than any other. But some will spend 20-30 minutes a day. I think a good way to guage how much time to spend is how much one refers back to their journal. If you find that there's more internalized reflection than the concrete "this worked and this didn't", kind of comments, you might be spending too much time - you can use a diary for the internalized reflection thoughts.
I think good journals are those that capture ideas, comments, improvements needed, impressions - all for reflection for use in future classes. As you say, it pays off positively over time.
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
I agree some teachers use a journal for that purpose. Really, it can be used for anything the teacher wants to remember for later, reflect on, or perhaps reference for future reseach. Even feelings, emotions, or perceptions about personal matters (related to the class, students, or insdtitution) can be added if desired.
Regards, Barry
I am constantly noting where/how flexibility occurred. I then reflect back as I prepare for the next phase, analyzing and adjusting for continued improvements. Alot of the time I feel that I am not working smart because it seems that I spend much more "paperwork" time than my peers because of this regular tweeking. But I think it has paid off positively as I progress as an instructor.
At the very least it becomes a log of what worked and what did not.
Hi Penelope:
We can learn much from our self reflection. If time is an issue, make it a part of your routine. Many instructors will make brief notes as the class is moving along. Others will commit the first 5 minutes after class to jot some notes. With a routine and a tincture of time, ideas and comments will begin to flow more fluidly.
Regards, Barry
Hi Roy:
Something similar, as class is moving along, I will make notes in the margin of my notes (and sometimes the text), especially if it appears extremly beneficial or I feel I want to remember to emphsize that information at a later time or future class.
regards, Barry
It is important to write a lesson plan before you teach. It is more important to note what happened during class while you teach. This will help you prepare for future classes.
Self reflection is so very important to growth, and that is why keeping a journal is so very important. I only wis I had the time to do so.
Hi Vonda:
Our ideas float in and out and keeping track of them to use when the situation call for it is important. Journalizing is valuable and one of the more underused techniques available to teachers.
Regards, Barry
Hi Colette:
Keeping your ideas fresh by recording them should be helpful since you short classes probably provide time to reflect on how one class varies from another.
Regards, Barry
In my experience keeping a teaching journal has helped in the different approaches that work with different students. Each student can react to a different situation differently and by picking up on non-verbal clues that the student exhibits, I have been able to communicate what I want the student to do and to be proactive in some of the situations.
Hi Madelyn:
Great. Good ideas come - then go, unless we have a method to keep track of them. CQI (continuous quality improvemnt) tenets suggest that implementing workable ideas that result in improved work performance or productivity require planning and implementation. In your example boyh were exhibited. Teaching journals are probably one of the more effective tools for teachers but are underused ways teachers can make improvements in their classes.
Regards, Barry
I use one for my academic classes - our terms are short (3 weeks) and I do not teach the same classes each time.
My journals are a great way to quickly refresh my memory about each day.
I add to them everytime I teach the class.
Keeping an instructional journal helps you to reflect on your weaknesses and strenghts as an instructor. As an example, last week various groups of students were discussing a subject that came up and no one person could be heard. In the past, the journal reflected that I simply called the class to order. The next time it happened, I called the class to order and asked one of the groups that were talking to share their ideas with the rest of the class. I did that with each group and each group actually did have some good information to share with the whole class. I find it most helpful to use the journal.
Hi Melissa:
Sounds like this point really hit home for you. That's graet. This is a tool that is really underused, and that's unfortunate, because it's really a valuable tool many teachers don't use.
Regards, Barry
This is a great idea! I regularly make comments to myself on my lesson plans, but a teaching journal could be so useful. It would serve as an organized way to keep track of successful stategies as well as areas that can be improved upon in the next term. I also think it would be helpful to jot down ideas when I have them for potential guest speakers, anecdotal stories, good questions the students had, etc.
Hi Erin:
Boy, you've got journalizing down to a science. Obviosly, you see the benefits. It is a great tool that is largely underused by many teachers.
Regrads, Barry
