Instructional Journals
Link to: Lisa Perreault's Portfolio | Mini-Course: Understanding Reflection: Using the Reflective Learning Journal
WHY USE JOURNALS? As an educator, you have many options for using reflective learning journals for student learning and understanding. The traditional pen/pencil notebook is frequently used in classrooms. Students can also draw a picture(s) and write captions or a summary of their reflections. With the computer, students can also type their reflections and submit via e-mail or a course-designated online posting forum. There are online blogs, brainstorming and mapping, e-portfolios, word press, and digital videos.
Reflective Journal Writing Prompts - [Click to watch this video]
The teacher prompts or asks a question or provides a statement that focuses the student to think more deeply and to develop awareness.
Reflective Writing - [Click to watch this video]
Learners write about their experiences by expressing their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
Blogging
This is journal writing on a website that can be updated continuously. It is available for the public viewing and participation.
blogger.com - https://www.blogger.com/features
Design your blog on Google. This website provides a variety of templates with flexible layouts and backgrounds that can be edited.
padlet.com - http://padlet.com/features
You can create a wall and collaborate with other students, friends, or for the public. Multimedia can be added to the wall.
Kidblog - http://kidblog.org/home/
Used to create classroom discussions, learn digital citizenship, practice writing skills, create an e-portfolio, reflect on learning, and formatively assess writing.
Wordpress - http://wordpress.org/
Is web software you can used to create a website or blog.
Brainstorming
This is useful for facilitating reflective thinking and learning. Mind mapping helps students to think individually and collectively with other students.
Bubbl.us - https://bubbl.us/
A simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online.
Popplet - http://popplet.com/
A mind-mapping tool to help student think and learn through visualization.
ePortfolios
Using ePortfolios as a reflective teaching tool - Case study - [Click to watch this video]
Digital Videos
Educators and students use digital videos to reflect on their learning and understanding of the subject matter. Digital storytelling is a form of reflection where students tell a story about a particular situation, event, or topic. It is useful as an authentic form of assessment to show how students acquire knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. In the videos, students can express thoughts, feelings, ideas, and problem-solving abilities. Concepts and ideas can be shown in many creative ways. By using multimedia technology, students can bring their own creative process to producing the video. Inquiry, active learning, and knowledge construction contribute to the creation of the video.
Digital Video Multimedia Tools
Windows Movie Maker - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows-Live/movie-maker#t1=overview
PhotoStory3 - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=11132#
ComicLife - http://plasq.com/
StoryBird - http://storybird.com/
VoiceThread - http://voicethread.com/
Glogster EDU - http://edu.glogster.com/
Story Maker - http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/storymaker/storymaker.swf
Story Kit - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storykit/id329374595?mt=8
IPAD - IMAGE NARRATION
Fotobabble (free) - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fotobabble/id353078443?mt=8
Pixntell (free/paid for full version) - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixntell/id532075424?mt=8
30 Hands (free) - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/30hands-create-show-what-you/id605013231?mt=8
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