Journaling Guidelines
Purpose: Journals are a primary way of making sense of what we are thinking and learning as we are exposed
to new information. The quote, “How do I know what I think until I hear what I say” suggests that the speaker
could only make sense of his thinking by talking out loud. In journals we struggle to find words to describe
what we are thinking—what we think we have learned. This can be work! But, the process helps our
understanding and so, this is an important course requirement. The notion of reflection is not just a prominent
aspect of Ignatian pedagogy, it is also central to how deeper levels of understanding and learning occurs.
Process and Grading Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in an email message format and submitted weekly by: _____________.
After the first submission, “reply” to the instructor’s earlier reply. In this way, you will always
include previous journal submissions.
- Length should never exceed ½ page and use SINGLE-SPACE.
- Number your journal to correspond with the “Journal #” found in the syllabus.
- OB Assessments in the text.
- Grading. Journals are easy to grade! If they follow the “process” points above, and follow the
General Guideline in the next paragraph, students receive 100%.
General Guidelines: Simply put, journal around what was of interest to you—what you want to react to
from the two classes completed during the week. Speculate about what you are learning about yourself
and what you can use in the future. Additionally, if your chapter reading had an “OB Assessment” you are
required to note the score you received, and reflect on the meaning of the result. Note what was of value
in this assessment. If you understand all that has been said so far--don’t read the remainder of the
guidelines below! The discussion below is ONLY for those that need more specific instructions.
Specific Guidelines: The following comments are reluctantly provided and only those that are “stumped” at
this point as they read the guidelines above. If you still feel like, “I don’t know what to write about.” –then
keep reading on!
a. Review the prompting questions (see b. below) as you reflect on what was done in class. Consider
their appropriateness based on what the two class sessions discussed—and what you found of interest. These
questions are only guideline—intended primarily for those that are not sure what to discuss. (Hopefully this
discomfort will quickly depart—and you will take the journals in directions that are driven by what you deem
interesting and important.) You may orient your comments on any part of our class(es)—you decide based on
what is important for you.
b. What should I say in my journal? This is not intended to be a hard question. Simply reflect on this
weeks’ class(es) with the following questions in mind—then, make your additions to the journal.
- 1. What did I learn that was a surprise, new, or giving new insight?
- 2. What bit of information is of value in my future—something to remember? (Why is it of value?)
- 3. What piece of info did I learn that I should/will apply at work, or as I work with my team?
- 4. What did the self-assessment(s) tell me about myself that I did not previously know—what are the
implications for me in the future? (This question is required ONLY if you took some form of self
assessment as part of your preparations for the class.)
Summary: Let me know if you have any additional questions. The idea of maintaining a journal is new to
some, hard for many, and I want to make sure that this requirement is of LASTING VALUE FOR YOU!
Thanks