Teaching Journals

Other ways of recording reflection

There can be other ways to record thoughts and reflections in addition to traditional writing. For example, you may be familiar with Mindmapping, a technique developed by Tony Buzan (1993). Also called 'radiant thinking', this visual approach can be used to assist problem-solving by associating ideas and representing them, often colourfully, in webs of linkages,. There are thousands of websites devoted to Mindmapping, with software to help the process. Just two have been selected here.

http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/studyskills/mindmap/
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CiLL/mindmap.htm

Other graphic approaches can be used if they are helpful in reminding you of what happened and how you reacted to it. Sketches and cartoons can provide good reminders of what you were thinking.

There is also a useful summary document on Journal Writing and Adult Learning at

Kerka, S. (1996). Journal writing and adult learning (Report No. EDO-CE96-174). Washington, DC: Office of Educational Research and Improvement. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED399413)

and at
http://www.iml.uts.edu.au/assessment/types/journals/index.html