Foremost, keeping a teaching journal would help with instructional improvement by recording tools that successfully aided in reaching a wider audience capable of definitive and measurable responses, thus helping to eliminate variables in the future. One could note class differences and what worked for various learners, what did not, and what may simply need fine-tuning.
Teresa,
Great! tThat's exaclty the purpose o9f journalizing.
Barry Westling
Teresa,
Right! These bare extremely valuable observations, notatations about things that are important but are likely to be forgotton unless jotted somewhere (electronic or handwritten). The method varies as much as the diversity of the faculty, but the premise is the same for all.
Barry Westling
Aimi,
Right! Notations about the observations in a class can be very meaningul, especially when viewed at a later date. Sometimes, we can see bgrowth (or lack of) based on the notations. Mostly, it's a helpful tool for instructors.
Barry Westling
Sometimes I get so busy with life that i forget what works and what does not. Now that I journal it helps me to look back and reflect.
Using a journal is a good way to track the good and the not so good things that are presented in your class room. I think its a good way to add information on things that could have been added or ways information can be presented differently. Also if there is something the students really enjoyed you could expand a more on that
A teaching journal can help with instruction because you can write what worked or did not work during a specific course and you can use that to build on more material that may help in future courses.
Marilyn,
Great. Journals work for those who value them, and are just a task for those that do not. No one is advocating extra busy work just for the heck of it. But I've found great value in documenting my thoughts and observations, and reflecting on my comments months or years afterwards is very interesting reading!
Barry Westling
When I first started teaching I did keep a journal about what worked and what didn't but also had reminders for the next week. It helped to focus on different areas of instruction. It seemed to evolve as the students changed and also included thoughts and insights. This is a reminder to me to continue to do one.
Terence,
This is so true. Dreams, hopes, observations, needs, improvements, good and bad experiences - all are among the many ways to document our thoughts about our classes and our students. Better to note them than try to remember them all.
Barry Westling
Keeping a journal is an excellent way to track and improve teaching techniques. As a dear friend put it, "if you really want to learn something, write about it."
John,
Every journal (and method) is unique to the instructor. For me, years ago I would just slip notes between pages of the curricuulm binder. With technology, my notes are now electronic and matched to the topic. Keeping it simple to start, a good way to begin may be a spiral bound binder to jot notes to yourself. Not high tech but effective.
Barry Westling
Greetings,
I have never made a journal out of my comments that I observe from the class. I make notes on my lesson plan this did not work but I did this and then build around that. I understand that each class is different.I have to read the class to see how I am going to deliver the teachings.
How could I better organize a journal of the classes, Day by Day or reflect at the end?
John
Alana,
Great! The whole benefit to teaching journals is to assist the instructors become better at what they do.
Barry Westling
I love the idea of having a teaching journal. At least once a day, while teaching, I think of something new that I can add into a lecture or I realize a mistake when I may think to myself, "maybe I shouldnt have given them the handout before the lecture". Well, sometimes I can't remember what I did last week, let alone last time I gave this specific lecture. Its great to be able to go back and read my experiences in my own words. This really helps in creating a smooth and interesting presentation of information to the students.
Ivan,
Right! It is always so interesting to look back at the past. It is often a helpful tool for planning for future events.
Barry Westling
Clare,
You are already in the flow. Through analysis we can determine even the variables that contribute to class and student dynamics by using a teaching journal. It's a form of the scientific method.
Barry Westling
Keeping a teaching journal can be a useful tool to help you reflect on your teaching and can assist you as you work to develop your own personal teaching style.
Keeping a journal is helpful in seeing what works in the classroom and what doesn't. Many times I think I have a good idea, but it doesn't seem to work or it doesn't work with some students but works with others. Acknowledging and analyzing each class can lead to a better understanding of it's own dynamic make-up. Teaching is very fluid and dynamic so taking notes helps me establish a reference source over time. I like to also reflect on how I handle situations. I currently keep a journal of my work activities. I find journaling very useful but I like to write. It may be difficult for some teachers who don't.
Emily,
Great! I do something similiar, and I can say that looking at these comments in subsequent classes is very helpful. I think that is exactly the outcome a teaching journal should acommplish.
Barry Westling
