James,
Teachers who regularly journalize do find benefit from this activity. I use different methods, from written notes to word processing files. Also, I'll use post it notes to make notes about something I need, to add to the discussion, a fact I want to use, etc. These then get updated when the course gets reviewed.
Barry Westling
There are several advantages:
1. I always know what and when have been taught
2. I can add some new materials in order to meet the needs of my students for the next term
3. in case I teach the same class more than to one group it helps to modify the content
Using a teaching journal is a great way to log a history of your teaching success and failure. By way of the journal you can look back on past lessons and note your strategy used and the results. This way you can make adjustments based on previously logged knowledge not just memory.
Nancy,
Great. I think the reasons stated are realistic and can be a tool for self improvement.
Barry Westling
A journal can be a tool that provides self-assessment of your class management, from lessons taught to issues that should be addressed such as student behaviors. When an instructor plans an new way to present a lesson, reflection on the success or failure of the plan as well as notes on what can be improved upon or deleted will help the instructor to fine tune the lesson. Mistakes will not be repeated, and the class will improve tremendously from journaling reflections on instruction.
Randy,
One way to view journalizing is to view ones own class as an observer might view it. What worked, what didn't. Ideas that could improve the flow of the class or add more interest, make it more efficient, handle situations differently. I've found my notes reveal my growth and maturity as an educator when I look at years-past notes and reflect on my ideas and comments at the time. This is is extremely valuable.
Barry Westling
I use a journal during prep for classes as well as after. I am constantly looking for new material in journals as well as visual presentations. When I find something that may be useful, I make notes in my journal and record the web site or source and content of the material.
I learn something new evey time I teach a class section. I reflect on it and take notes. It may be some subtle thing with a power point slide or some ar4ea that created confusion with the class. I also highlight questions that students may have asked me that may require further research. I always get back to them the followoing class period to provide a complete summary of the question.
Ruth,
Yes, and over time, continued notations can be tremendously helpful in making short term and long term istructional improvements.
Barry Westling
If an instructor makes notes about how each presentation went, including what went well and what needs improvement, then reading these notes prior to the next presentation of that topic can help the instructor continue to improve in delivery, style and effectiveness.
Dwayne,
I think, too, that the more value a teacher puts on it, the more they will get from it, both in the short term and long term.
Barry Westling
It serves as a good self-reflection tool.
Francine,
I really believe every day's stuednts encounter are meaningful. Jotting just a note or two, or other thoughts make for interesting reading later on, and never repetitious.
Barry Westling
Using a teaching journal helps identify unplanned-for occurrences in the class room. Those instances can vary from day to day in the class room, and by writing them in a journal (right after class), you can reflect on those instances and be more prepared in the future for such happenings. It is similar to keeping a daily log that is rich with useful information for future classes.
Edward,
I ponder, observe, critique, wish, rant, and document - all this of course is recorded in my version of a journal. I learn about myself, grow and improve from it, and rely on it as a reference for stuff I want to recall later on.
Barry Westling
Being a new instructor I have reviewed the various results to different things that have occured in classes but had not thought to write them down. I can now see that over the long term many lessons I have learned might be lost by relying on memory. I am planning to start jotting down notes over the next few weeks then organizing them into a journal. Thanks for the idea.
John,
Great! Just remember that there is no standard to follow. The comments and journal notes are yours and yours only, so feel free to memorialize and document any way you feel is appropriate or have time for.
Barry Westling
Brezita,
Yes, and our desire to be better teachers by our improvements are enhanced with tools that include the teaching journal.
Barry Westling
Lisa,
Journals have a remarkable ability to shine a light on ourselves in a way that few other methods can.
Barry Westling
I haven't done this very well, but have taken steps toward this end. I produce after action reports and often refer to them, but I like this idea of "self-reflection" and journaling these lessons learned. I'll give it a try.
Use of a teaching journal is a way to keep track of what happens in class and make notes of both myself and the students reaction to the curriculm and exercises;for it helps for personal reflection and class improvement.
