Jack A. Seilheimer, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

Journal writing has been recognized by educators for many years as an effective strategy to promote reflective thinking and learning. It is by making connections between our experiences that we create meaning and internalize our learning. Human beings, by their nature, are "connection makers" and "meaning makers". Our experience always consists of "what happens" and then what we make of "what happens". There is "what is and is not" and then there is what we add, delete, distort and generalize. Although we may seek to be "objective" and describe what we can actually "observe", being "objective" is just one way we organize our "subjective" experience. Reflective learning journals enable us to create a record of the connections and meanings we are making as we engage in learning experiences. They are very personal and no two people will have exactly the same response to any one experience. If done conscientiously, your reflections in your Personal Learning Journal will be among the most important things you learn in this course.

A Reflective Learning Journal is required in this course to facilitate your introspection (thought and feelings) and to enrich your learning. Each person's journal is unique and there is no correct or incorrect response expected. You will be graded on the evidence of reflective thought given and the quality of your response, not the quantity. There is an expectation on my part that your Journal will demonstrate that you expanded upon your initial observation of events to include more than simply recording an event. Remember that there is an event you participate in AND what you make of the event.

• Begin asking yourself these questions: "What?", "So what?", and "Now what?". Listen as your mind makes connections.
• Make a few notes during an event by capturing a few thoughts that go fleeting across your mind as you witness or observe the event
• Note the name of the event, the date and the time of each entry to provide a sense of continuity and a reference point.
• The best time to make an entry in your Journal is as soon as possible after an event takes place. Be sure to have a few notes if there will be a long time lapse before you make an entry.
• Try "flow writing" ­ wring rapidly flowing your intuition. Don't stop to judge what you have written.
• Periodically reread your Journal entries. They will provide more to connect with in your reflections.
• Be creative, imaginative and descriptive. Write artistically if you want. Use color if you wish.

A Reflective Learning Journal is not a Log or a Diary. The examples of entries that follow are provided to help you understand the difference.

LOG - a simple record of what happened during an event.

1/28/00
Attended class, watched a video entitled "Interviewing Do's and Don'ts" and listened to the discussion of interviewing techniques.

DIARY ­ a record of very personal thoughts not intended for others to see.

1/28/00
Dear diary, I arrived at class early today just to see if Tom would choose to sit next to me again today. I'm not sure but I think he was flirting with me during our last class. When he entered the room my heart rate increased with excitement. He has such striking blue eyes against his dark complexion. I just melt when he looks at me. He sat in the same seat as last class so at least I know he didn't choose to be further away from me. Dr. Seilheimer said we would be forming groups today. I was so happy when I ended up in Tom's group. This may be just the chance I hoped for. Maybe we will work in our groups next class. Tom seems so intelligent. What a great combination! Good looks (great buns too!) and intelligent. Just what I'm looking for in a man.

REFLECTIVE LEARNING JOURNAL - a record of the reflective thought and meanings we are making as we engage in learning experiences.

1/28/00
Watched a video entitled "Interviewing Do's and Don'ts" in class today. I was amazed at what the data showed in terms of how few people really follow the basic principles of interviewing. Like other students in the class, I didn't know that 9 out of 10 people are not prepared properly when they go for a job interview. This certainly gives the person who does prepare well a definite competitive advantage by being in the 10 percent who are prepared. The book "Sweaty Palms" that Dr. Seilheimer referred to sounds interesting. I think I'll ask him if I can take a look at it.
Although the people in the video seemed corny and camp it did illustrate the basic sequence of events that take place in interviews and humorously pointed out some of the important do's and don'ts of interviewing. I see more value now than I did at the beginning of class for the assignment to interview a working professional to get a few tips on how to compete for jobs in their field. The class discussion was very lively today. I think the subject challenged some of our deep fears about rejection and it made many of us a little uncomfortable. I enjoyed class though and I think I will keep some of the ideas Dr. Seilheimer put out on how to confront, accept and manage fear in mind as I prepare for interviews someday.

Minimally, you are to have responses to the following events in your Personal Reflective Learning Journal:

• Each class session you attended and each video shown.
• Each petal of the "Flower Exercise" in the workbook.
• Each assignment completed.
• Overall response to having complted the course.