I have used teaching journals to help me remember not only what material was covered each day but the questions asked. I used this information in the following class to better present the material thus increasing student understanding. This was reflected by the number of and types of questions being asked. I would document each class and review them to see what was working and what wasn’t.
Hi Seth:
Not all teachers do (nor should) journalize. I think a journal is for those that may benefit from reflecting on past situations, student interactions, or course content, and want a record of their thoughts.
There are different types of journals and various reasons why teachers will use them. It does take a discipline to faithfully comment. But there are other surrogate methods of achieving similar results by various notekeping activities, from simple to extensive.
Regards, Barry
It is a good idea to keep a teaching journal so that at the end of each class session good or bad experiences are written and this could give the instructor a guide as to where improvement is needed.
I do not presently keep a teaching journal per se, but I constantly evaluate lessons and lectures by taking notes while I have a break. This enables me to pump up strengths and reduce weaknesses of my lesson plans with each time they are taught. The ability to evolve my curriculum has benefited my students greatly.
Hi Nancy:
Over time, a journal can reveal our growth as teachers, and give unique insight into understanding ourselves.
Regards, Barry
Hi Carolina:
Good - this works well for you. Teachers use journals many different ways and for different outcomes. In all, they're all beneficial and very interesting to reflect on, especially after several years.
Regards, Barry
By noting how successful certain teaching strategies or exercises were right after the class, I can improve the next time I teach that same course.
In essence this tools allows time for reflection on the days topics , deliveries and responses from the class.
It is a real time self assessment, to let you know if you are on course, or if the material is being received.
Also noting any issues that may have hindered the learnig for the day will help in realizing why the outcomes may or may not have been met.
Hi Stacey:
If you feel you can benefit, go for it! It takes a discipline, but the rewards can be terrific.
Regards, barry
Wow...such a simple idea. Never thought of it before though. I will definately be implementing this idea into my class rooms next term.
Although, I have not used a journal, I think it would be a helpful tool to jot down ways to improve the content that you are teaching. brief notes on what went well and what was not as effective can lead to a better outcome. You could create better questions, and analysis of the topic or activity that you were working on
Keeping a teaching journal can be helpful in so many ways. For example, writing down your daily goals as they relate to giving a lecture will help instructors recognize both strength and weakness. Also, you can look back at the notes/journal and reflect how each day was prepared.
I just wanted to add to your comment about writing notes about each student to help them reach their goals. In the last two years I have been having students take on on line survey to discover what type of learner they are. They hand in the assignment and then I make a list of all the students and group them according to what style of learner they are. It has helped me direct and focus the different teaching styles I use. For example, (I teach healthcare) when I have students do skits, I have the "written approach" write the skits and the "kineshthetics" act out the skits. Knowing their learning type also helps me to help them reach their goals.
I really like the journal idea for myself. I have had students do it for themselves but never thought of it for myself. Dah! :)
I've read over a lot of the comments and have commented on a few myself but I just thought of another way to use a teaching journal. When I talk to administration about problems I am having I can write their comments or suggestions down to refer back to should I have another similar problem come up!
Yes, I have found that this is very helpful and now I have a calandar that I use to write down where I need extra time or where I have more time to elaborate.
I just wanted to add to your comment about writing notes about each student to help them reach their goals. In the last two years I have been having students take on on line survey to discover what type of learner they are. They hand in the assignment and then I make a list of all the students and group them according to what style of learner they are. It has helped me direct and focus the different teaching styles I use. For example, (I teach healthcare) when I have students do skits, I have the "written approach" write the skits and the "kineshthetics" act out the skits. Knowing their learning type also helps me to help them reach their goals.
I really like the journal idea for myself. I have had students do it for themselves but never thought of it for myself. Dah! :)
I used a journal, really it was a legal pad with notes, when I first started teaching at the elementary level and it is something that I have carried with me to teaching at the college level now. When I first used to journal it was only to list the things that went badly in the classroom. Most of this journaling took place at the end of the school year. Since becoming a college professor I have not only found myself making notes on a class to class basis, I now include the things that went well. I never considered the successes in the past, I suppose because they were a success. Yet, I have now come to find that I learn just as much from my success in the classroom as I have learned from the things I considered a failure. I guess that is just where I have evolved as a teacher.
I have used daily journals for other things, I will use it with my class.
Great observation on the use of journals, I didn't think it would help me - but, now it will.
Hi Suzanne:
You've described a great use for using a teaching journal. Not all teachers us it, but thos that do find it helpful for different resons: reflective, chonological, content, observational, planning, ideas - all are satisfactory uses that teachers find helpful.
Regards, Barry
