Reflective Journal

"Get your facts first, and then you can distort 'em as much as you please." ~ Mark Twain, (1835- 1910). American Original

Each week: I ask you to keep a Reflective Journal. Your journal should include a weekly summary of new ideas, insights, points needing clarification and any frustrations you are feeling about the learning process. It is also appropriate and useful to make notes about how you plan to implement 6-traits in your classroom or school. A reflective journal is a place to capture your thinking, brainstorm, and well.. reflect. I don't expect formal writing. (You are not going to be scored for conventions!)

By the second week of class: I would like you to set up a weblog (also known as a blog) as a way to capture each week's reflections. I recommend Mindsay.com. They provide an easy sign up process and an efficient way to write and publish your thoughts on the Internet. (Just click Create Your Blog to get started).  Once you've created your blog, you'll be sent an email to verify your email address. If you'd like step by step assistance this article from About.com is quite useful: How to set up a Blog Using Mindsay.   Please invite me into your Mindsay network by adding my email address: oconnord@uwstout.edu.

It's wise to word process your journal each week and then paste your reflections into your blog space. On the other hand spontaneously writing in the 'blogosphere' can be liberating. You're free to find your own style and process. Of course you are also free to keep your writing private or share your reflections and Blog space with anyone you please. Each time you create a message with Mindsay you can choose your audience with a convenient series of checkboxes.

At the end of the course, I will ask you to edit your weekly journal to create a summary of all your reflections. You'll be able to do this by copying entries from your blog into a word processor. You will be able to share this edited journal by posting it in the Module 8 Discussion Forum.

Consider these questions as you reflect each week:

• What was most useful to me in my learning process? What was least useful?
• Did I achieve my learning objectives in this week? If yes, what did I achieve?
• If no, what got in the way of achieving those objectives?
• What did I learn about my own learning process during this module?
• How did my thinking about teaching change this week?
• Do I feel that what I learned in and through this course will have applications in other areas of my life? If so where will I apply this knowledge?
• How well did I participate in this week's discussion? Am I satisfied with my level and quality of participation?
• Did I see myself as an active member of the group?
• How would I evaluate my performance in class this week overall?