Well, I'm not sure my daily notes are considered a formal journal entry, but I am constantly writing observations during the course of a term, and I revisit these every term so that I can continuously improve the course's instruction and teaching methods.
Hi James:
I've always kept lecture notes on yeallow pads, so I would insert a white card or sheet with personal notes to look at later on. As time went on, I began to journalize, and have modified the format over the years. That's the nice thing about journals, there's no right or wrong way to go about it.
Regards, Barry
Hi James:
Using a journal really varies by individual, preference, time available, and personal choice. And the style is highly variable. Many find a journal helpful, if only to reflect on prior times thinking or perspective.
Regards, Barry
Being new to teaching, I am going to ask about journaling of some of the more exsperienced instructors at my school. I did not even think to use this method of self evaluation. I have been in my career field for almost 30 years, but have been teaching formally only about 6 months now. Did you start journaling early in your teaching career?
I have only been teaching formally for a short time. I did not keep a journal for the first couple of months, but do see the value. I will be keeping a journal with the start of my next set of classes. I hope to use it as a guide to improve my classes as I continue to teach some of these same classes again in future semesters.
Hi Paul:
Yes, I think notes about what did and did not work, or resources needed, or anticipating questions students always ask abot such and such is quite a valuable use of a teaching journal.
Regards, Barry
You can use a journal to extract a recipe for what works well for a class, as well as what doesn't work well for a class.
Hi Lori:
Reflection on a days activities (when there's time) can be very helpful and make for interesting reading for application at a later date. I think reading my thoughts from say, 2-years ago is facinating as it tells me something about me - perhaps groth, or improvement or just diiferent now from then.
Regards, Barry
A teaching journal is a great idea. By chronicling the students' reaction when a lesson is taught, it can guide an instructor in terms of how to construct that lesson differently. What methods worked? What methods did not work? How can I tweak this lesson in order to obtain more student interest/focus? A teaching journal is an incredible guide on an instructor's journey to becoming a student focused teacher.
Hi Donald:
As a sort of daily diary, teaching journals can provide an ongoing dialog with yourself that provides a good and current record of events, thoughts, observations, notes, and planning for future reflection or use. The biggest advantage is reading notes from say, 2,3, or 5 years back. Recognizing growth, or how ones view of situations may have changed (or not).
Regards, Barry
Keeping a teaching journal would keep lectures, demos, and syllabi in an organized format. It would be like a daily diary. It allows the instructor to not accidentally repeat himself and would give the course a more orderly approach. In addition, grades and projects would be easier to access allowing the entire course to run much more smoothly.
Hi Matthew:
Good thoughts. Journals are effective in many ways and highly individulized how teachers use them. One thing is certaion, the benefits of reflection at a later time is immeasurable.
Regards, Barry
Hi Garry:
Sometimes it takes longevity to appreciate seemingly subtle or simple truths and advancement we've made. Journalizing is one method to accomplish that. Reflection on what has been helps create what will be.
Regards, Barry
A teacher’s journal is a snap shot of past, present, and future. Having been a teacher now for about eight years, my journal has become a storyboard of ideas that have worked well, ideas I might not want to use with certain class types, and ideas never to use again. Each new class paints its own mosaic of requirements that the instructor may need to reach deep into their little red toolbox to fulfill that particular classes learning style.
Hi Cheryl:
Journals are very useful, especially to those who value the idea of notations to facilitate later reflection. Like the amazement of a newly found old photograph, as a teacher personal notes can be effective as a learning resource.
Regards, Barry
Hi Denise:
Journals are great, although not for everyone. Their use varies as much as the personalities of the teachers themselves. But for those that do, there is benefit in noting observation, follow-up, thoghts, or anything deemed valuable to memorialize.
Regards, Barry
Keeping a journal would record what techniques worked in class and what didn't--
I could critique myself to know what helps get my leesson across for the day and know what didn't help my students.
I love this idea! I had started a similar project last year, and I've found it to be a great tool for tracking students' response to various lessons. I can keep doing what works and discard what doesn't. It also helps me plan for the questions and problems that certain lessons invoke year after year; I can be prepared because I know, for instance, that every class I've had in the past had trouble with THIS lesson so I can plan THAT activity to help them grasp it.
The journal is a running log of effective and disappointing results of instructional delivery. It will help prevent you from making the same mistakes twice. I think the key to using a teaching journal effectively is to write in it as soon as possible after each class. Many observations made during the class are quickly forgotten once you dismiss the students. This is definitely one area that I am weak in. I do not have much time in between classes and I wonder if there are any tips on how to implement this?
Hi Richard:
Journals are so varied - teachers use them for all sorts of reasons and in many different formats. Reflection, teaching tips, observations, personal notes - all of these assist instructors memoralize ideas and thoughts of the days activities from a variety of perspectives.
Regards, Barry
