Another great use for the teachers journal is when you are out it can be used as a tool for the instructors that takes your class.It lets them know where you left off.
Hi Janet:
Time tracking is very important. Your use to assist you the next go around is very practical. Some instructors also find that jotting ideas for introducing new or different delivery methods or media is a helpf use of journalizing as well.
Regards, Barry
After I teach a class, I like to record how much time it took me to teach a section and how much time my students took to complete a task. That helps me manage my time and plan tasks that next time I teach the same material.
Hi Cindy:
Thanks for the feedback. I guess the old saying "none of us is smarter than all of us" may have some truth to it, eh?
Regards, Barry
Hi Barry,
Classroom observations is a wonderful idea. I always say that is does not matter how long you have been teaching as well you can always learn from others what works for them. I am a lifetime learner in my education as well as my employment.
Cindy
Hi Cindy:
Nice complementary comment and reflection.
Regards, Barry
Hi Cindy:
After an experienced teacher is at it for a while, I really think the old adage "they have forgotton more than some others know" seems close to the truth. I see journalizing as a way to reflect on methods to sharpen my skills, keep it fresh and timely, and consider ideas I might not have thought of.
Also, in my job, I get to perform peer classroom observations. What a delight. I am always learning new and different ways to deliver a topic or share information from this expeience. I highly recommend instructors volunteer to do this if it it isn't already a part of their job.
Regards, Barry
This is a good point Arturo because typically we are just going through the daily motions and sometimes may have back-to-back lectures and forget a concept or point that could be important for another course. Keeping on top of updating a journal can help for this reflection.
A teaching journal can help you become focused on areas of improvement as well as "what works" or "has worked" in the past. It can be an effective means when teaching a course for the first time to build on future teachings.
Also, keeping a teaching journal can allow you to review past problems and how to handle reoccuring problem to help with corrective future resolutions.
Instructional improvement comes from the review of past performances and able to have one place that summarizes your performances would be very helpful.
Hi Arturo:
Well, we all learn from our mistakes, and our successes. Journalizing caputures those perals of insight while they're fresh.
Regards, Barry
I found this idea very interesting and immediately realized it would help me. I just started as an instructor and find myself very unaware at this point, so taking time to make some notes will definitely help me avoid repeating mistakes and will surely help me identify things I would like to change or hold onto in the future.
