PROFESSIONAL
REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
AND
TIME LOGS
Tools for an Effective Field Placement
Field Requirements
All students in field are required to
complete:
• Learning contracts
• Journals
• Time logs
• Field Evaluation
Learning Contract
1.
2.
3.
WHAT
is to be learned?
4.
5.
HOW
Will you learn
this?
What activities are required?
WHO/WHERE
will you go/ask
for help?
WHEN
Timelines?
HOW
do you prove that you
have successfully
achieved the
objective?
Monitoring Process
• Field Instructor is responsible for
supervising students and using various
“tools” to monitor and evaluate a
student’s performance.
Common Evaluation Tools
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Verbal reports
Process recording
File recording
Video tapes
Direct observation
Co-facilitating
One way mirrors
Modeling
Journalling
Time logs
Professional Reflective Journalling
• Journalling is a required tool that Field
Instructors can review during
supervision with the student.
• Journalling gives Field Instructors and
students an opportunity to
– discuss issues in field; and
– allows questions and concerns to be
addressed during supervision.
What is a Professional Reflective Journal?
Reflective journals describe:
• daily experiences while in field placement
• thoughts, feelings about the day/week
• theories or concepts that have been applied
• what learning has occurred
• questions/concerns
Journalling provides an opportunity to develop
and demonstrate critical thinking skills
Professional Reflective Journalling
Week of (Date) to Week of (Date)
Journals are used to help you reflect on how you are growing
as a professional and to identify areas of concern or issues that
can be
discussed with your field instructor during supervision.
Student Reflection
• What have I learned this week and what skills have I
developed?
• Did I consciously apply theory to practice?
• What theories did I use?
• What did I struggle with and how could I have improved?
• What were my reactions / feelings / actions?
• How can I improve and what resources do I have available to
assist in developing my skills further?
Benefits of Keeping a Journal
• Reminds students of questions which arise
between supervision times
• Keeps students focused on tasks that are tied
to their learning contract goals
• Encourages students to THINK THEORY and
connect theory to practice
• Provides insight regarding strengths and areas
requiring development while in field placement
• Helps to identify and address issues which may
arise during placement.
Time Logs
• Time logs are now required to be
completed by the student and approved
and signed off by the Field instructor.
• Time logs are found on the Faculty of
Social Work website – Field Education
Program
Time Logs
1.
2.
3.
4. Time logs
Keep track of hours
5.
Remind students to
reflect upon specific
experiences in their
journal
Remind students
to discuss
issues/experiences
during supervision
Ensure that there is
a process in place to
track hours should a
discrepancy occur
Connect their
learning to the
evaluation process
Field Placement Time Log
Field Student: _____________________
Field Instructor: ___________________
Placement Site: _____________________________________________________________________
Time Period From:
Date
Sept 4
Sept 5
Sept 4-9/2012
Time
Spent
Activities
What did you do, who did you met with,
training/conferences
Relevance to
Learning
Objectives
3.5 hr
Introduction to Agency, met with field instructor, tour of
agency,
1, 3, 4, 5, 10
1 hr
Attended Inpatient Meeting
During that meeting I was asked to assess a client and
used the stages of change chart to identify where the
client was regarding stage of change
1, 3
1 hr
Attended group session for youth
I was an observer today however was asked to co
facilitate the group therefore I will read information
regarding facilitating youth groups and remind myself of
small group process
Contacted Field Instructor and left message on
answering machine
5
SICK
Student
Initials
Instructor
Initials
Time Logs
• Provide accountability and act as a
reference should issues or
discrepancies arise;
• Provide a written record should there be
a change in supervisors and/or
placement; and
• Keep students on track regarding “time
spent” on learning goals.
Time Logs and Journals are linked to the
Competencies in Evaluation
1
2
3
4
5
Unsatisfactory
Performance
Marginal Or
Inconsistent
Performance
Has Understanding Of
And Is Beginning To
Undertake Action
Usually Consistent
AND Reliable
Performance,
Beginning To Initiate
Action Independently
Exceptional Performance
That Shows Consistent
Initiative And Analytic
Abilities
UNSATISFACTORY (FAIL)
SATISFACTORY (PASS)
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
2. EFFECTIVENESS WITHIN AGENCY AND COMMUNITY
2.1 Understands the purpose, mandate, and function of the agency. (1)
2.2 Is able to articulate the concerns of the client population serviced by the agency. (1)
MID
TERM
FINAL
Faculty Liaisons
• Offer support to Instructors and students;
• Maintain contact to support field-related
learning;
• Meet at pivotal points (e.g., Learning
Contract, mid-term and final evaluations);
and
• Offer support to Instructors as they review
student performance, including completion of
journals and time logs.
Concerns or Questions?
• Students: communicate directly with
your Field Instructor
• Visit the Faculty of Social Work web site
for more information and ideas
• Consult your Field Liaison