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Journals


The day has been devoted to journal writing. No, I am not writing my journals but I am organizing my lectures about journals. Yesterday I remember I had nothing in mind about what to write and how to begin with. Today ideas just came flowing. Anyway, journals are not new to me. I like journal writing and I believe I can come up with fresh materials about it.


I have written a lot about journals. Some of them were based from references fished from the web. Some were from books and research studies. But most, and I am glad about it, were from my experiences about using journals in class. Four years ago after my Ateneo stint I started requiring my students to submit weekly journals. Definitely, the response was quite lukewarm at the beginning. Students see them as added burden on their part. Moreover, colleagues were as lackluster as could be. They were not enthusiastic about the idea. Journals would be uninvited.


Partly what they feel about journals is true. However, there is much to journal than polishing it and marking. It is a valuable and alternative tool in assessing our students. Honestly it would require teachers and students extra effort and time with the journals but the benefits we could infer from them are incalculable.


True, people are adamant of accepting changes. I usually get the same hesitation and cold shoulders whenever I discuss about journal writing. It is another heavy burden to put on one's shoulders. As I said, writing takes time and effort. It is a complex process that requires one to really dig deeper into his thought processes.


I understand students' dilemma about it. They were not exposed to writing as part of communication early on in their academic life. Much more with writing in the mathematics class. What!? Are we going to write in mathematics? Yes, a mathematical essay, you may call it. And guess what you will expect.


I also understand teacher's hesitation. Like the students, they have not utilized writing in the mathematics class. It is like putting water in oil. They thought they are two distinct objects. But they are not.


I am just fortunate to have been exposed to these strategies early in my teaching career. Yes, I consumed enormous time and effort just going over each journal-reading them, correcting or polishing mistakes, writing comments, marking. But I am glad I provided my students an opportunity to be aware of their own thinking processes. Journals are like windows to their minds.


I know also for a fact that not all my students liked the idea of journal writing. It is miserable. However, I believe that later in their life they will appreciate and realize the beauty and meaning of being able to express one's mind.
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