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.