How to Write Reflective Journals for Teachers
Writing reflective journals for teachers 15. Conclusions: What can you take away with
Reflective journals for teachers are used to help you from this experience? What can be
them analyze experiences working with students concluded in general and in a specific sense
and relate it to other experiences as well as with from this experience and the analyses you
theories and methods they were taught. The purpose have made?
is for teachers to determine what results in the best 16. What will you do differently if this type of
outcome and the most productive learning situation happens again?
environment for students. Writing an entry to a 17. What steps if any will you take based on
reflective journal for teachers can be done in many what you have learned?
different ways. The structure shown here won’t apply to every
A basic entry used in reflective journaling is shown reflective journal. Teaching students may have to
here: adapt depending on the particular circumstances
1. Record an experience/event dictated by the experience. However the basic
2. Describe the event elements shown here should always be included.
3. Who/what was involved? Guidelines for writing reflective journals for
4. What part did who/what play in the event? teachers
5. Reflect: Contemplate on the experience
6. What are your reactions to what happened? Reflective journaling for teachers shouldn’t be
7. What are your feelings about what overly restrictive. Instructors may vary on specific
happened? requirements. The following are some general
8. What are the positive aspects and the guidelines to keep in mind when writing reflective
negative aspects of the situation? journals:
9. What you have learned from what Don’t limit an entry to description only:
happened? Be sure to reflect and explain what happened
10. Analyze your thoughts, feelings and and the reasons for it. It is the analysis that
reactions makes reflective journals for students a
11. What was really going on and was valuable learning tool
everything as it appeared? Give an honest analysis: for the reflective
12. What sense can you make of the situation? journal to be effective you must be honest in
13. Can you integrate a learned theory into this your assessment. It isn’t something you
particular experience? write just for a grade. It’s a learning tool to
14. Can you demonstrate a better grasp of what help you improve as a teacher.
occurred and how this helped in your overall Don’t try and include everything: Not
development as a teacher? everything will be of value. Write about
the key points and important ideas from
the experience
