A teaching journal is important to be able to document the daily and see how it is working with the overall goals of the course. As I reassess throughout the course, referring to the daily journals, I may be able to refine approaches and continue to raise the standard of delivery of instruction.
Hi Kathleen:
Right! A great use of teaching journals is that we can make improvements on our strengths AND weaknesses.
Regards, Barry
Hi Peter:
We most definitely need to read what we write down. In this way, we can continually try to make improvements in both what works, and what doesn't.
Regards, Barry
I use my teaching journal to grow my class. I have certain subjects that I have taught numerous times. I noticed that I need to change things up in order for the class not to fall into the rut of I have taught this class so many times that I am bored with it. I always try new things and the journal helps me to know which ones work and which ones didn't. I also like to look at my fellow staffs journals and get some of their great ideas and add some to my own classes.
Hi Graham:
By using these as instructors, we can keep an eye on both our strengths and weaknesses, and strive to make improvements on BOTH!
Regards, Barry
Hey V. Festa,
Though as I've posted previously, I do not keep a regular critical journal of my classroom delivery, you do bring up an interesting potential approach for an Instructor like myself. Since I do have a ready-made outline for my classes, I could quite easily create a section after each for just jotting down basic, general notes. These in turn would serve as mneumonic devices for further integration down the line....Thanks!
I too am a relatively new instructor. The teaching journal seems like a great idea to put not only observations but also relevant websites and articles used during certain lectures.
I have never used a teaching journal outside of student teaching, but I think the idea of keeping a journal for each class to be worth the extra time and effort. It will provide at my finger tips, methods that worked well with the lesson and methods that need to be revisited, revised, or deleted. Has anyone kept a teaching journal on a consistent basis? What areas other the ones I have already mentioned, do you evaluate? Is it wise to develop a form that can be easily completed at the end of each class or is there a better format?
If one uses a teaching journal,and records student responses to different methods of delivering material, it can help to improve the opportunity for students learning experiences, identifying successful approaches the teacher implemented.
Using a journal makes my job easier. For each class, there is a Word document outline that is updated after each unit. Also, using a Word document allows me to link in fun websites, picutes, charts, etc., that can be useful multi-media additions to the course. I just updated an outline this morning because of a headline in the newspaper. It is quite simple to move your thoughts to a power point presentation from the outline.
Journaling can certainly help one in the development of a course. It was suggested in the module that we write journal entries after each class. Because of the numerous responsibilities of teaching six courses, I simply do not have the time, do not make the time to journal (though I do have my composition students journal first thing every class!).
I think that, for me, keeping a regular journal could be a bit overwhelming, if not redundant. Let me explain. When a class goes smoothly for me--as most do--I immerse myself in the pleasure of peace after such a class. Everything stays on track, and I will make no new, force no new methods or materials....But when something goes askew (often enough sparked by a particular disgruntled student who claims to be speaking "for the class," well then I respond to the pit in my gut that will stay with me till I get home, or longer.
These are the cases where I will write (not technically "journaling") out a response to the student's critique. And I will acknowledge right off at the beginning of the next class what and why I might be changing in response to the feedback from the previous class--though I may have initially responded defensively on the spot!
(Though not necessarily...)
Because this process seems sufficiently responsive to my classes, I do not practice regular journaling. If I were to become desensitized to students' feedback--or find my memory beginning to forsake me, at that point it would be strongly advised, I think, to begin a steady practice of post-class journaling...post-haste!
I think this is a great idea, and I was actually urged to do this while in training at the school for which I teach, but I didn't keep up with it very long. It's been a long time now, and I believe I would find some value in trying it again. I do my own internal discussion/analysis every quarter of what worked and what didn't, but I don't write it down, and even the best ideas and observations won't be used if you aren't reminded of them from time to time. A journal is definitely in my future.
Hi Melissa:
Excellent! And, by identifying what works and what doesn't, we can continually strive to make improvements in both to become more effective instructors.
Regards, Barry
This is such a great idea and is something I have not thought to use in the past. I do believe we can learn from both the successes and failures. It is very rewarding to see something "click" with the students. And a failure is just another experience to learn what does NOT work.
Hi Deborah:
You have hit on two great ideas about the journal here: what works and what doesn't. As instructors, we can make improvements on both of these.
Regards, Barry
Using a teaching journal helps you remember than improve your specific class. It is also good tool to identify treands in your class presentation.
I find journaling offers a wonderful opportunity for self reflection. Looking back at old entries I can self assess where I have grown and also where I consciously or subconsciously continue same patterns.
I think using a teaching journal is a great idea! It will help to keep track of my great lessons and activities that have worked in the classroom. Great organizational tool!
Hi Christopher:
Something else to consider is that you can use the journal to make notes about what worked as well. This way, you can continually make improvements on both strengths and weaknesses.
Regards, Barry
Hi Siane:
Right - this goes back to making improvements in both strengths and weaknesses. We don't have to use these tools for only ideas that didn't work, but for those that did as well.
Regards, Barry
