Hi Mary:
Journals help teachers keep track of all kinds of stuff you might remember during a term or even on a weekend. It can be reflective of thoughts, or reminders of improvements you want to make in your course. It's a handy place to keep all those miscellaneous ideas that pop into nyour head - maybe you'll act on them or not. The point is to keep track of them.
Regards, Barry
I use this method a lot as I teach. I am a Composition Instructor and I tell my students all the time that the best thing that they can do is to discover the mistakes that they make commonly throughout their writing. Only by recognizing their mistakes will they be able to fix them. I try to live by this concept as well. After every class I write three to five quick notes about how the class went. Over the weekend, I look at my quick notes and create a summary of the week in my journal. I quickly notice my patterns and if there is something that I can correct, I do so. This makes me more aware of what I am doing as an instructor. I also try to video tape at least one class session a year. This makes me painfully aware of how I look from the student perspective.
I had not heard of the idea of using a teaching journal until starting this online course. I carry a planner with me to write down student questions and make notes on what to prepare for class. Having a journal notebook for each class would be helpful when I return to teach that course a second time and I am updating the curriculum. I will try this next term.
Hi Barbara:
Great point that underscores the benefits of using a journal/diary/class record. I've found there are a many variations that teachers use to accomplish this, and just as classes are each individual and uniques, so are the methods by how teachers keep track of their thonghts, ideas, and reflections. For instance, some use a simple pocket calendar. Whichever way is used, it makes sense to keep a record of some kind.
Regards, Barry
I am not a robot and I find that different classes on the same subject can inspire different questions from students. This can lead in a different direction for a part of the lecture. Sometimes, if the entire class is interested, then I will include that information the next time the class is offered but I won't remember it otherwise without a diary. It also helps when generating exams because different items may have been stressed in different classes.
Hi Greg:
Yes, I like your term powerful. Being a reflective tool, when a teacher memorializes a thought or comment, or idea, improvement in the course and ultimately in student learning is likely to be the result. I also think there are other ways besides a journal to caputure memories or thoughts, and many are very simple. Pos-it notes, colored paper notes inserted alongside a page in the curriculum binder, or references to websites are a couple examples I use that's proven effective.
But a journal offers a chronological narrative of ideas and is very suitable for teachers who adopt using this effective tool.
Regards, Barry
Barry,
Much like the others have stated, a journal allows you to recall key points that were not anticipated or a "wow" moment in a course. By capturing these items, you are able to recall and either avoid the same pitfalls or incorporate them into future lessons. Most people grumble about journals until they go back and read what they've written during the reflective stage (usually just before the next round begins!) Its amazing what you forget as the course progresses. The journal captures those moments and are a powerful aid.
Greg
Hi Jennifer:
Right. We want our classes to run smoothly with all needed information covered in the most meaningful manner (using a lot of variety in the delivery). So, thinking of ideas or ways to make improvements, adding variety, and keeping track in something such as a journal is a great idea.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
The best notes are the ones that occur as the result of personal reflection because they're thoughful, honest reflections from our inner selves. These will always be more meaningful than a reminder to "make a slide of such and such". However, reminders about ideas and ways to improve your class are practical and helpful in the process of continuing to improve your class. So, both types are beneficial.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marshall:
I like your organized approach. Whatever method is used, keeping track of ideas or needed improvements contribute ongoing course correction and, over time, better classes.
Regards, Barry
It allows self reflection when preparing for the next class meeting. As an instructor it is important to acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and change.
Hi Johnna:
Another good reason for keeping track of what works and what doesn't. Classes vary so much each cycle that the needs and emphasis are always going to be a bit varied class to class.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carol:
Great. You've cited good reasons why an instructor would benefit by using a journal or personal record.
Regards, Barry
As I was reading the suggestion of using a journal, I was moved to the idea of keeping this type of record. I find some days I am more gratified than others, and I am sure it could be reflected in my demeanor. By jotting down notes I may be able to make a correlation. Sometimes the obvious suggestion need to be noted, as I am hopeful this awareness will be reflective.
Any time you take record for review you have the opportunity to learn and grow from that experience. Keeping a teaching journal can be rewarding...also, it can help you if you forget things. Review your journal before you make your lesson plans...they can be inspirational or they can help you remember what not to do in certain situations.
My teaching journal has helped me organize future lesson plans. After each lesson I ask myslef four questions:
What worked, what didn't work, whats missing and what is possible.
I have found this to help me in making adjustments to my courses.
I took a lot of notes when I taught my first course and made sure to review them before starting the new one so I could change the flow of my class so it would run smoother.
I use a journal so I can recall what I stressed (useful for tests/quizzes) and also specific questions asked by students. This sometimes leads the class in another direction and I may want to include additional information the next time I give that lecture. It can signal interest in another direction also that I may not have thought was important.
Hi Sandra:
Keeping track of ideas, needs, and possibilities for improvements to existing courses helps teachers keep their classes current, lively, and overall, more enjoyable as often, changes for the good are made that improve the class and student learning.
Regards, Barry
I like this idea. Could give me the opportunity to see what or how each class responds to different things. I feel there is always room for improvment.
