Writing reflective journals
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This document discusses reflective journals for teachers. It defines reflective journals as a teacher's written response to teaching events that allows them to reflect on experiences and trigger insights. Reflective journals are used to study language learning and teacher cognition. Keeping a reflective journal involves regularly writing entries that include the date, events of the day, a focus on one or two episodes, and analysis/evaluation. Teachers can focus journal entries with reflection questions on their teaching, student behavior, and professional development. Journal data can then be analyzed for patterns and significant events.
Writing reflective journals
- 1. ELT 750 TEACHER COGNITION IN ACTION Stefan Rathert WRITING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
- 2. OVERVIEW What are reflective journals? the rationale behind reflective journals forms of reflective writing benefits of reflective journals What procedures are there for keeping reflective journals? journal format and journal keeping routines reflection questions to provide a focus exploiting the data
- 3. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? “A journal is a teacher's or a student teacher's written response to teaching events” (Richards and Lockhart, 1996, p. 7).
- 4. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? a response a record of events a way of triggering insights reflection of an experience
- 5. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? the study of language learning how is second language acquired? how do learners perceive learning? teacher cognition how do teachers develop professionally? how do teachers perceive their own teaching? Reflective journals are used for Reflective journals are instruments of classroom observation.
- 6. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? Distinctions in terminonolgy (I) journalistic writing: description of events analytical writing: focus on specific events reflective writing: retrospective introspective writing: examining thoughts and feelings
- 7. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? Distinctions in terminonolgy (II) objective record of informatio n record of events expressio n of thoughts, ideas and feelings logs diary journal record of events interpretation s professional reflection analysis evaluation
- 8. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? Distinctions in terminonolgy (III) freedom in deciding what to focus on Open-ended journal entries Assigned journal entries requirement to write about specific issues no written response from reader Monologue journal format Dialogue journal format written response from reader
- 9. WHAT ARE REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? choice of system of journaling depends on: purpose of research teacher’s readiness/experience of journal writing reflective thinking level (technical – contextual – dialectical)
- 10. JOURNAL WRITING IS A MEANS OF … analyzing and reasoning through a dilemma enhancing development and reflection promoting growth in critical analysis of teaching promoting awareness of relationships between educational psychology and practical experience
- 11. JOURNAL WRITING IS A MEANS OF … systematically reflecting on self- development and on actions within classroom and work contents practicing reflective inquiry building understanding by writing what is learned linking understanding with classroom practice
- 12. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? journal format and journal keeping routines reflection questions to provide a focus exploiting the data
- 13. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? Journal format and journal keeping routines: date and time of entry brief sequencing of the events of the day detailed focus on one or two episodes analysis and evaluation: possible explanations for event; impacts on teaching
- 14. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? Journal format and journal keeping routines: entries done regularly – set aside regular time and place as soon as possible following the event entries are uncensored accounts of teaching or learning experience style, grammar or organization are not the main concerns keep diary in a safe, secure place
- 15. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? reflection questions to provide a focus include: questions about your teaching questions about observable student behaviour questions about the current state of professional development
- 16. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? exploiting the data analysis by diarists themselves: “primary”, “direct” or “introspective” analysis analysis by someone else: “secondary”, “indirect” or “non-introspective” analysis delay analysis until substantial account of data has been collected analyze for patterns and significant events
- 17. WHAT PROCEDURES ARE THERE FOR KEEPING REFLECTIVE JOURNALS? exploiting the data revise ‘raw’ accounts for public consumption document and discuss the factors appearing important in teaching/learning
- 18. REFERENCES: Borg, S. (2006). Teacher cognition and language eduacation. Research and practice. London: Continuum. Nunan D. and Bailey K. M. (2009) Exploring Second Language Classroom Research - A Comprehensive Guide. Boston: Heinle Cengage Learning Richards, J.C. and Lockhardt, C. (1996). Reflective Teaching in Second Language Classroom. New York: CUP. Ruso, N. (2007). The influence of task-based learning on EFL classrooms. Asian EFL Journal, 18. Retrieved April9, 2012 from: http://www.asian-efl- journal.com/pta_February_2007_tr.pdf Taggart, G.L. and Wilson A.P. (2005). Promoting Reflective Thinking in Teachers. 50 Action Strategies. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press
- 19. Thank you very much for your attention.