Melissa,
Journals sure do help memorialize key events, along with providing a way to capture observations about student behavior, progress, and engagement. Many times fresh material occurs spontaneously during a lecture or class session. Unless I make a note of it in a journal, I'll likely forget it, and it'll be lost forever.
Barry Westling
I find by keeping a teaching journal, it can help me to figure out what works and what does not work from class to class. I have used this to help me realize what gets students engaged into the material and what completely bores them, and know not to use that material in the future. Students can change from term to term, some materials may get used more than others. By keeping a journal, helps me to keep in control of knowledge and skills in my field of study, as well as keeping students engaged in the material of study.
Stephen,
Journals are very helpful, but also very personal in that any way that you want to track your thoughts and comments is perfectly satisfactory. For instance, sometimes I'll stumble on a new or different way to explain something. I may jot that down. Some days are routine with not much to note. Other days, my observations about how my class went, why students were or were not engaged, situations I had to deal with, equipment that was or was not working, thought or ideas about improvements -- pretty much, anything out of the ordinary is what is most meaningful as you reflect at some point down the road.
Barry Westling
After looking over the thread,I can appreciate the strength of keeping a teaching journal and will use this strategy as I start into this field. I feel that, for the rookie, this is the best way to note what works for you and what doesn't. I get the feeling though that this is not as easy a task as it sounds and must be continually updated, possibly after each lecture, immediately after lecture, to be truly effective.
Steve
Melville,
First, as to how to create new habits, another important piece is having the desire and drive to want it. That, along with repetition ought to achieve the wanted goal. Journals in the classroom are highly personal and individualized as to format and inclusion. For me, most often, it's been a reflection of the activities of a class that are memorialized. For instance, a student question not asked before, a new example or analogy that came to me spontaneously, or perhaps an area of emphasis that was new. My curriculum binders are organized by topics, and laden with post it notes, comments in the margins, clippings from...wherever. The journal part is sheets I've added to the back of a topic section where I'll make comments, terms or equations, observations about myself or students reactions or behaviors, and ideas about needs, or ideas about improvements needed. I review all of my notations as I prepare to discuss that topic. Others have adopted other methods, this is how mine has evolved.
Barry Westling
I want to thank you all for this suggestion. I had never considered using journaling for anything other than personal or creative purposes. Applying it to career development hadn't occurred to me. I also am going to apply the earlier mentioned principle in the course of doing something thirty times to try to instill a habit. What different approaches to the journal entry have worked best for you? Freestyle, a steady list of questions, responding to development themes? What are some examples of creative journal organizing ideas (i.e. sections, folders, use of color, etc.)? Thank you all for your time and advice.
Eugene,
One of many benefits to a journal that's been helpful for me is referring to a notation I've made from the past. I put notes from the day that may or may not be useful in the future, but I know that information can be accessed as the need presents.
Barry Westling
I've been keeping journals in my restaurants for years as a business tool and as a predictor of sales and trends based on many factors. I have incorporated this habit into my teaching each day so that I can be all the more prepared for future classes. This helps me to prepare in areas where I noticed students previously had issues or where I may have been able to provide a better understanding of the material or even where I may be able to offer more details than the syllabus provided. It a very proactive and essential personal tool that can only add more depth to your students learning experience.
Toni,
My journals help me remember material that comes to me "in the moment". So much can be lost if ideas that we stumble on don't get recorded somehow. The journal has been the vehicle for me over the years.
Barry Westling
Keeping a teaching journal can help me to stay on track. If i feel that i am organized, prepared and focused, i can take my time to ensure my students are learning and also to make class time more interesting.
Karen,
Sure, and sometimes what one experiences on a particular day will be viewed completely different when reflected on at a later time. Reflection is a great way to improve our instructional styles and abilities.
Barry Westling
By keeping a journal the intrustor can look back as to what worked and didn't work regarding teaching methods. It can be a reference to see what to improve on and what was and was not an effective teaching method.
Cynthia,
I am sure growth occurs when instructors journalize. Self reflection is so important, and journalizing provides one terrific way to practice and benefit by it's merits. I think it takes some self determination to get into the habit but then it becomes really just part of the routine.
Barry Westling
You can grown on what you journal and learn from your mistakes.
Megan,
I think most instructors are flooded with ideas, but some good ideas are lost if they are not written, documented, or recorded for reference at some later date. That's where one great use of a journal is invaluable.
Barry Westling
That is a great idea.. I have not thought about it. I would like to start one with my upcoming start of my next term. Thanks that will be a great way for me to relfect on my day with the students and my time mangement.
Dianne,
I often observe student action, my responses, and reflect on what and why things go as they do. Since these are mine only notes, I feel I can be totally honest because I realize if I want something to change I have to be able to accurately define it.
Barry Westling
I had not thought of this idea before taking this online course. I do see the benefit in that it can help me remember details of what went well and what did not. It is easy to loose sight of the details when you don't document.
Thomas,
Great suggestion. Keeping track of multiple classes in the same career setting can be a challenge. I wholeheartedly agree that a teaching journal fits in very nicely for this use.
Barry Westling
Teaching the same course morning and afternoon sometimes only 1 day difference in delivery- a journal makes me less likely to deliver the same material to a class that had it the day before.
