Using a teaching journal is a great way to reflect on class you just taught, what worked, what didn't, what coould be improved.
Hi Kenan:
You've described a use for journalizing that hasn't been mentioned before. Great!
Regards, Barry
Hi Kenan:
Good use of a journal to help remember a key textbook footnote.
Regards, Barry
Hi Stephen:
Journalizing can be many things to different people. I maintain if the user sees value, then they should consider journalizing. If it's an effort and not used, then it really just a waste of time.
Regards, Barry
I like this idea. In the 80's I kept a personal journal on paper. In the last ten years, I've used computers for journaling. Click on WORD - new file and you have a journal to just start typing into.
I use a lot of slide shows these days. I often think of improvements while I am using the show. Journaling would help me with this. Also, I make a lot of mistakes. A journal might help me keep track of the mistakes to fix them AND notice tendencies so I can be more preventive about making these mistakes.
Dr. Basnat:
Class and student observational notes can be effective when viewed over time, such as in a journal.
Regards, Barry
Hi Laurel:
Whatever you use, you value the advantage of reflection on past classes, notes to yourself, observations about students, needed resources, or whatever else you want to keep a record of. At least, this is how I prefer to journalize.
Regards, Barry
I agree and usually I end up with notes in various places, this course has inspired me to get a notebook solely for this purpose.
Hi Shelley:
Teaching journals can be whatever the teacher wants it to be, since it's purpose is to assist the teacher through reflection , a repository of notes, observations about classes, student questions - whatever. If a teacher finds using a journal useful, they should use one. If no value is seen, then it's nonproductive to spend time on something that just takes time and won't be used.
Regards, Barry
I like this thought of using a teaching journal. Is this a journal about what techniques I used for class that day..kind of like a diary? I am going to start using this and see what I learn from it!
Hi Laurel:
Journals can be helpful, for me, mostly as a reflective tool after several months to years. Mine are varied and and follow no particular format, just information I observe about a given class, or notes I may want to reexamine at some future date. I think journals should be whatever the teacher wants it to be.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
Reflection on past events can be very instructive.
Regards, Barry
A journal also helps me remember ideas for improvements while they are still fresh.
Hi Marina:
To me, a journal is whatever a teacher wants it to include. The key is what is important to record to reflect on at some later date.
Regards, Barry
Hi Ayesha:
Each teacher need to decide, when, how often, and information to put in their journal, if theyt do it at all. I reccomend this activity, but would only encourage it if the teacher sees benefit in it on their own.
Regards, Barry
Hi Thomas:
Graet example (and one I can personnaly relate to). Sometimes in a jam session or extended freplay session at the keyboard, I make note of the unique and one of a kind licks that I will stumble on to. These will be forgotton moments unless I stop and take note. True, this breaks the flow at times, but I'm amazed at how we can wander on to wonderful, creative moments and somehow document their essence for future enjoyment and experimentation. This certainly can work in the classroom as well.
Regards, Barry
I'll give you an analogy of why I think a journal is important. I am a musician and there are times when performing songs that there are problems in the arrangement , the timing , the different musical parts being played together , etc... These are easily forgotten after the show and never discussed. The next time the song is played the same problems happen again. A journal will allow you to write down and remind you of what parts of your presentation went over well , and what parts need improvement. When the next time comes up to teach the subject matter , you can refer to your notes , then make the changes in your approach and materials. But just like the music presentation , notes in the journal must be done right after your class is finished , or you will forget what needs improvement the next time the course is taught.
I feel this can help me because it will allow me to go back and work on some of my mishaps as well as be able to reflect on what techniques worked.
Hi Ashley:
I've personally found a journal to help me tailor my classes the next run through and help identify what information was difficult for the student to understand.
Regards, Barry
Hi Freddie:
That's probably true. In the broader sense, we're usually talking about using a teaching journal as an adjunct to making our teaching more effective.
Regards, Barry
