Journaling
Faculty asked students to write in a journal, blog, wiki, and/or discussion board.
About
Bucknell faculty know that the value of students writing in an informal reflective manner in either a journal, a blog, or on a discussion board. Due to its low stakes and conversational nature, students will write profusely, and use it to process and consolidate their understanding. If faculty read it, they will also get a great map of what students think, understand, and need guidance on. Faculty enjoy how it can prepare students for class discussion, and make them more confident in their sharing. Setting up the journals is one challenge that could be made easier, since much of the writing takes place online in a Learning Management System like Blackboard or Moodle, or a blog platform like Wordpress, and they can be awkward and complex. In addition, faculty need to develop strategies like Journal partners or random sampling to allow them to validate and value the writing, but not feel overwhelmed by the volume. As writing is such a unique and time honored method of showing thinking on paper, it is likely that this activity will continue to be used by many, at least “several times” a semester.
The original study's data and analysis for "Journaling" can be found on this link.
What Faculty Have To Say
Strengths (6)
- Requires all students to show their thinking about assigned readings, ideas, and concepts in an informal setting
- Allows instructors to review (and respond to) student positions, and then adapt their teaching
- Regularizes the activity and location for students to draft ideas and use as a record of their thinking
- Allows for reflection and self-assessment
- Prepares them for class participation
- Develops their analytical skills
Weaknesses (7)
- Significant faculty time required
- The more they write, the more there is to read - and grade
- Their writing can be shallow and rushed
- Young adults are not always accurate in their reflections
- Discussions and blogging are more public, which can make students guarded
- Even if journals are only read by the professor, students can be guarded
- Assigned topics can seem like busy work - free choice is better
Pedagogy Usage
Bucknell faculty was asked their best estimate for how often in the semester they used Journaling and the average class time it took.
Average Duration: N/A
Remote Suggestions
The loss of face to face contact with students severly weakens two-way communication. A journal is a perfect tool for re-establishing some of that communication, providing students an open forum for sharing their formative thoughts with the instructor. Moodle journals can be made private between the instructor and student, or assigned as groups. They can be graded or not, but they all allow the instructor to provide running comments, which are a helpful record of feedback.
Resources for Additional Learning
Articles & Books
- Journal Writing across the Curriculum, Toby Fulwiler.
- E-Journaling: Achieving Interactive Education Online: http://er.educause.edu/articles/2005/1/ejournaling-achieving-interactive-education-online
- Reflective Journals and Learning Logs: http://www.niu.edu/facdev/_pdf/guide/assessment/reflective_journals%20and_learning_logs.pdf