Hi Nicole:
Of the many ways teachers use journals, tracking progress and time spent with lectures is one of the more pragmatic (but very useful) forms some teachers elect to take.
I think a journal is a very personal tool, and teachers should use it the way they feel they can get the most benefit. Some have told me journals don't work for them that's fine.
For those that are able to consistently use and record their thoughts, they will have an invaluable resource to reflect on in the months (and years) ahead.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gary:
Teachers use journals in different ways. Some are chronological records of daily events, some are more refelctive of personal thoughts. Still, others provide an ongoing dialog with oneself about observations, student behavior, actions, or performance, or ideas about how to add variety to the classroom and learning environment.Some will memorialize their physical environment and interaction with fellow teachers, staff and peers.
I think journals can be very helpful and more teachers could benefit if they regularly and consistently used a teaching journal.
Regards, Barry
I've done this before -- and until reviewing this module hadn't thought about having a reflection journal for the courses I know teach. Something I am going to consider doing for the next session.
I already use a teaching journal so that I know what works and what doesn't for next term (because I will have forgotten by the time that term comes around!). However, I really like the idea of recording the time it takes to teach a section, especially when I teach lecture classes that are five hours long! I either have too much time left and have to come up with extra exercises (of which I keep a list, just in case), or I have to rush through the last part of my lecture which is not in the best interest of my students.
By recording the different methods used in the classroom in a journal, you will have another resource for planning course content and course delivery. The journal could include comments on the effectiveness of various methods used or the ineffectiveness of a particular method.
The journal could be a resource to review so you don't need to attempt to use ineffective methods
more than once.
Hi Monte:
Teachers use their journal for a lot of difference reasons. It's highly personal - and confidential.
Notations on what has worked/not worked, student observations/difficulties, comments, plans/ideas, reflections on how the class is going - things like this can quite helpful especially if viewed from the perspective of several classes, or even several years.
Growth, perspective, choies made, these are invaluable insights that can only be obtained over time.
Regards, Barry
It can show you what has worked successfully in the past and what has not worked.
Hi Sharon:
Jorunals can be a labor of love, and consistency definitely makes for more meaningful review at a later time.
Teachers use journals diiferent ways. It's what works for them. Yours is a good plan. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lola:
Teachers use journals different ways for different purposes. Comments, observations, ideas, student comments, memories, what worked/what did't, etc.
The best part of a journal is the long term benefit of review after several classes or years. Growth, change, improvement - these are among traits teachers see modified as time progresses, and that's invaluable information.
Regards, Barry
At first the though of keeping yet another journal seemed overwhelming to me, so I modified this idea to a method that has worked wonders for me!
I keep bullet points in a small notebook of:
-what worked
-what didn't work
-what I did well
-what I didn't do well
-anything/anyone that seemed to be an issue I needed to address
It's enough for me. It jogs my memory when I look back at it. Also, I am more willing to go to my notebook to jot down notes than I am to force myself to make yet another journal entry.
Hi Christopher:
Good for you. Journals are done for different reasons, and their reults are beneficial indiiferent ways for each individual. I think thisnis one of th more underused tools a teacher has at their disposal and encourage more teachers to experiences it's benefits.
Regards, Barry
Hi Marsha:
This is good. A journal can also be more pesonal, allowing a teacher to make observations, personal comments, ideas, reflections or perceptions about themselves or the classses they're teaching or student responses, or better ways to use their time, etc. etc. Looking back over time can be quite revealing and improvements can come freom comparsions over time.
Regards, Barry
Hi Glenn:
Great! Reflection over time can be beneicial and enlightening ato a teacher. Because it takes time, both to make entries, and to acculmulate thoughts, ideas, comments, and observations, journalizing really has to become a regualr habit or activity choice by each teacher.
Regards, Barry
Hi Michael:
Yes, as a "record of events", a journal can assist an instructor's perspective now and later on, for review and consideration or observation of how the teacher views situations differently.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kimberly:
Journals truly assist teachers reflect on their personal feelings and comments about their courses. It helps the teacher and future students when veiwed at alater time.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mo:
Your situation is a challenge. I think it's the perfect use for journalizing as it will benefit you and future students when the situation ay not be as it is today.
Regards, Barry
I have found that keeping a journal helps guide me each semester at important junctions in the lessons. It remindes me of previous problems/insights former classes have encountered.
For me it is a great resource because it allows me to reference teaching tools that have worked for different classes under different circumstances. All classes have different learning rates and keeping a journal will help you in the long run with ideas and activities that worked particularly well, or didn't work at all.
I keep a copy of all my lecture notes. I am able to back over the lecture, so when I teach that class again, I can improve on my information.
Hey, Barry:
Usning a teaching journal has helped me over the years by seeing what works best and what doesn't.
Even teachers keep learning!
Sincerely,
-Glenn
