Abstract:

Educational journal writing fosters a more personal and intense engagement in the learning process. Journaling allows the learner to “connect” with what is being learned. It permits the learner to reflect on personal learning, to pull together what has been learned, and to identify how to use the learning. As well, reflective educational journaling is a method of learning and of assessment.

My study demonstrated the value of reflective educational journals for post-secondary educators involved in an international curriculum development project, as well as the value for the educator facilitating the curriculum development workshop. A cohort of twenty Malawian adult educator nationals participated in a curriculum workshop held in Malawi, Africa. This study identified the value of the journals for the participants and the Canadian educator. For participants, values included having a voice, establishing and nurturing collegial relationships, and being free to ask questions within a safe milieu. For the Canadian adult educator, values associated with the reflective education journals include: learning about the learners; learning which additional teaching strategies would clarify concepts; learning which teaching strategies worked best; learning about social issues of a foreign culture; and, learning about myself and my strengths in the international setting.

In Canada I use reflective journaling in a number of courses (communications, health care clinical experiences) to help learners understand course content and objectives as well as to provide me insight to student progress. The reflective educational journals serve as a medium of learning for the learners and the instructor. The journals provide significant insight of student progress, or lack thereof, through a number of lenses. Adult learners usually have living commitments (children, work, family obligations) that can derail their progress; they experience setbacks for a number of reasons; and, they experience a myriad of lived experiences which influence their progress. Thier journal efforts can indicate issues for which help can be sought.

Reflective journaling requires stamina for both the learner and the facilitator: it is beneficial that requires commitment.

Keywords:

Adult learners, assessment, learning, writing.