NICOLE SHAW &BRIE BOLGER MSN 7750 Journaling: A Valuable Teaching Strategy

Journaling Journaling is recording one’s thoughts and explanations about concepts or ideas. Journaling can be done on paper or through electronics, such as e-journaling or a blog. Journaling allows students to sort out experiences, solve problems, reflect on goals, and to reflect on personal growth by reviewing old entries.

Cognitive Learning Theory The cognitive learning theory can be applied to journaling because it stresses the importance of what goes on inside the learner. Journaling is effective because it is largely directed by the individual, which is one of the keys aspects of the cognitive learning theory. The student perceives information, then reprocesses it, allowing for a deeper understanding.

Usages of Journaling Teachers can allow for time to journal at the end of each class. They can simply answer to, “What did you learn today?”. This will allow the teacher to see how well each student is understanding the concepts covered in class. It is also a useful tool for patients that are newly diagnosed with an illness. They can journal what they understand about the process and how they are dealing with it. This will allow the nurse to cover any concerns or questions the patient may have, but did not want to ask

Appropriate Settings Journaling can be used:  In most classroom settings.  In the hospital.  During fellowships and internships.

Pros of Journaling Enables students to be actively engaged in their own learning. Gives students a chance to write freely and express their feelings and ideas. Journals can include special details about the experience from the writer’s perspective. Every journal entry is unique. Gives students a chance to reflect on their experiences and think about how they would handle the situation differently in the future.

Cons of Journaling Journaling puts students in a vulnerable situation because they are sharing their intimate feelings and real life experiences. This may cause students to hide their true feelings and emotions. They may write to please the teacher instead of writing honestly and freely. Because journal writing is often very personal, it can be difficult for the teacher to provide constructive criticism without hurting the students’ feelings. Can be time consuming for students.

Evaluating Effectiveness of Journaling Journals can be used to help the teacher monitor students’ individual development and progress By providing feedback and asking questions, teachers encourage students to think deeper into their experiences and grow in the classroom. Although each journal is unique, a well-developed one should consists of the following:  personal observations  questions  speculations and predictions  evidence of developing self-awareness  connections between personal experience and new information

Final Thoughts Journaling is a valuable tool that can be used in the classroom or hospital setting. It allows the learner to take the lead on learning without fear or embarrassment. It allows students expand on existing ideas, summarize ideas and form new opinions after instruction. Journaling is also beneficial to the teacher because it allows an inside view to the students’ thoughts

“A journal is like a good friend who is never to busy to listen”

References Bastable, S. (2008) Nurse as Educator: Principles of Teaching and Learning for Nursing Practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers Kelly, M. Journals in the Classroom: Flexible Instructional Tools. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from King, F. & LaRocco, D.(2006) E-Journaling: A Strategy to Support Student Reflection and Understanding. Current Issues in Education, 9 (4). Saskatoon Public Schools. (2009). Instructional strategies online. Retrieved from TeacherVision: Journaling. Retrieved on April 24,2010 from journals/48533.htm journals/48533.htm Walker, S. E. (2006). Journal writing as a teaching technique to promote reflection. Journal of Athletic Training, 41(2), Retrieved April 24, 2010 from PubMed Central database.