Journaling is an effective teaching tool. Student reflection through a journal provides the student with a way to reflect on certain aspects of a lesson and the teacher with an insight into the student’s comprehension. It can also be an effective tool for seasoned teachers. When used as an open communication tool with other teachers, a journal can provide an avenue for communication and collaboration for professional development.
Benefits of Teacher Journals
The school day is busy, so it can be difficult for a teacher to have time to collaborate or discuss issues with other teachers. This is especially occurs in older grade levels where teachers have staggered schedules compared with others in their department. A journal passed among peers, such as the triad journaling method described by D. Silva, is a valuable resource when collaboration time is sparse. It not only provides a medium through which observations, reflections and thoughts about teaching and learning can be shared but also a method through which to suggest and collaboratively solve problems.
Collaboration through a journal can also be a school or district wide professional development tool. An administrator or group leader can provide thought provoking questions or situations for individual reflection. Then, at predetermined professional development times, break out into small groups to share thoughts and ideas.
Using a journal among teachers is a way to promote professional development with Web 2.0 technologies. It is relatively easy to loose a bound notebook on a desk covered with student work and teaching resources. Moving the journal online through a format such as a blog allows teachers to access it from anywhere they have a computer with Internet connectivity. It also allows for entries to be made by any teacher in the group at any time, not just when that particular teacher has the journal book.
Obstacles to Teacher Journaling
Though many obstacles can be overcome, two that potentially can become barriers are the perception of time and willingness to share otherwise private thoughts. Many teachers already find both the professional and personal time is shorter than needed and will need to feel that this is neither a waste of time nor time consuming. Others might be reluctant to share their journals or even participate since journaling is an activity frequently considered personal and private.
Despite some obstacles, journaling can be a productive professional development activity. It can promote collaboration, whether by bound book or blog, through which teachers can communicate when face-to-face time is rare. Journaling can provide a way for teachers to share observations and reflections of problems or situations. It can also be a tool to assist teachers in acquiring more technology based professional development by learning more about blogging.
Reference: Silva, Diane Yendol. Triad journaling: A tool for creating professional learning communities. Teacher Education Quarterly, Fall 2003.
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