**According to my notes, we are 1/2 way through the semester**
This week we are talking about my favorite topic – me! Well, you will be focusing on you . .you are your favorite topic too right? Again I am attacking a topic that many of us do all of the time, but we all clam up when we put a name to it – Reflective Writing (cue the violins!).
Reflective writing isn't straight-forward description or conveying information (Moon, J Reflection in Learning and Professional Development, Kogan Page, London 1999.) What is it then? According to the Kentucky Dept. of Education - Reflection—the careful consideration and serious contemplation of past events for the purpose of evaluating or making sense of those past events. What does this look like? Diary? Blogging? Time when you want to write things down to help figure them out? Yes!
I think that spending 4 minutes with Parme Giutini from OTIS College will give better insight into the topic for us. Pay extra special close attention starting at 3:45 until the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRF8whWLjqc
Otis College of Art and Design Teaching Tips: Reflective Writing with Parme Giuntini. The Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty share their tips on a variety of classroom suggestions to improve the quality of teaching. and therefore learning.
As I may have mentioned, I do work as a photographer and have my own company. One way that I use reflective writing is by keeping a notebook that I enter notes about every shoot that I’ve been on. There are some technical aspects – like who was there, what was the purpose, what are the expected results. After the shoot I also visit the book and list what went well, what didn’t go so well, and why, and most importantly, if it’s something in my control – how can I fix it for next time? This book has been great in that over the last few years it’s been a manual of best practices that I can revisit to increase the chances that my results on the next shoot will be better than the results of any in the past.
For the purpose of class, you will focus on reflective writing because it can be integrated into your e-portfolio. If not by writing, do you have a process in place in your life to reflect on past experiences?
Also, your e-portfolio has a specific purpose, and is basically a device designed for sharing. How would your reflective writing be different if you were writing privately?
Lastly, offer your thoughts on the how you agree or disagree with the definitions of what is and isn't reflective writing as they are written above. How would you explain how reflective writing is different than description?
Standard end of blog warnings, disclaimers, and reminders still apply – Per Ms. Spraker, you do not need to respond to all of the prompts presented in order to get credit. You do need to sign your post with your real name that matches the name in Ms. Spraker's grade book in order to receive credit.
Byron Faudie
I think writing is a very useful tool, even when it comes to non-academic things. Writing will always help someone reflect on the past and give them insight on how they have changed since then. One can write things for their own viewing pleasure, or for other people. When you write for yourself, your style tends to be different from when you write for others. The language you choose for writing to be viewed by others will be more "safe" and professional. And when you write for personal purposes, the language can vary. You don't have to worry about how you come off, and that can sometimes be fun.
ReplyDelete-DeAnna Powell
Hi DeAnna,
ReplyDeleteGreat observation as to how the audience you are writing for helps determine the language you use. It's like the difference between your public and private self. I agree that dropping all the PCness when writing for yourself is fun, but I'm always afraid that somewhere, somehow, somebody is going to find it anyway.
I agree that reflective writing is less "safe" as DeAnna mentioned above. Reflective writing is definitely more personal, obviously, and is a way to learn a lot about yourself. For example your use by keeping a notebook with you and writing about each job. You learn mistakes and things you did positive that you can use in the future, and habits to get rid of. I personally do not keep a journal or any notes for myself, and I'm sure it would be extremely helpful if I did.
ReplyDelete- Michael Sanacore
I feel that writing is extremely important because it enables people to gather all their thoughts together and put them into something meaningful. Everyday, I am constantly communicating with the parents of my early childhood students, through writing. It is the main way that I communicate with them because some of them drop their children off before I arrive, while others pick up their children after I leave for the day. I also feel that wrting is more effective than speaking, sometimes because words can have a tendency to go in one ear and out the other. But, when they see something in writing, it becomes more real and concrete to them.
ReplyDeleteByron,
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the fact that you keep a professional journal. It made me wonder how I could incorporate one. You keep yours by project - that makes perfect sense. I'm a marketing manager. My professional journal could also be by project - some of my projects are ongoing or last several weeks, so I envision several entries over the course of the project. I've kept personal journals off and on over the course of my life, but it never occurred to me to keep a professional journal. I love the idea! Thanks for sharing. That may be the best take away all semester. :)
Lisa Schmidt
I have always had a passion for writing. I feel that by putting your thoughts and feelings into a conveyable form that others can read is in some ways theraputic (sp?). I have wrote the majority of my e-portfolio from a reflective position because I have had to deal with lots of adversity as I have journeyed back into school at 28.
ReplyDeleteI am not a shy person. I embrace my mistakes and faults. I have no problem putting them out there so that others can see what I have done, and hopefully learn from them. If I am able to make a difference in one person's life through my writing, I feel that I have done my part.
Reflective writing is a great tool to put things in perspective. If you are having trouble deciphering a problem, putting it on paper may make the solution more obvious.
Sean, I also think that reflective writing can be a great tool. I have to admit, that I didn't even think of it in a manner that you did. Reflective writing can be for other people to see. But reflective writing can indeed be a tool for personal use. When you write things down yourself, you may be able to see things from a different perspective than before. You can not only get the chance to solve a problem that has stumped you in the past, but it can help you grow as a person. If you read things that you wrote yourself, you might just see it different from the point when you were in the middle of writing it.
ReplyDelete-DeAnna Powell
I also think that I would like to begin keeping a professional journal myself. I have already gathered some of me things to be kept separately, serving as a repetoire of a certain subject. For example, I have gathered a notebook full of monologues for my theatre experience. I have old pieces of work that I have done, including new pieces. I also have notes and other ideas that I think of and that I don't want to forget. It helps to have things like these so you don't feel like you have to start from scratch if you want to revisit.
ReplyDelete-DeAnna Powell
While looking at the article "It's all about you!", the topic of reflective writing arises. To fully understand the meaning of reflective writing, one must understand what its not. Reflective writing is not just a upfront description. Reflective writing can be in different areas such as Learning and Professional Development.I believe that writing can be a very useful tool, even when it comes to non academic topics.For example, writing is crucial in the aspect when it comes to learning, teaching, or just exploring a language.
ReplyDeleteGeorges Desliens
After reading the other comments, I feel I should start keeping a journal of my own. Not only does it allow you to learn about yourself, as someone else noted it's a great way to remember things without having to start from scratch again. Thinking about it now, I have written ideas down in the past. I have also written a few stories/ scripts for movies or books that I thought would really be great. Most are based off things I have seen in life and always thought those things make the best comedies.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of reflective writing is go back and state in the speak about a past event or occurrence.Literacy involves being to both read and write. These two things go hand in hand.From the educational system to the career field, both are required for most jobs.As technology increases, the standards of education will rise.In doing this, tools like reflective writing will give a person an advantage.
ReplyDeleteGeorges Desliens
I believe that reflective writing is very important for everyone. It helps us sort through difficult times in our lives, and outline answers to problems we might have. In the past I have kept a journal, especially during hard times in my life, and enjoy going back and re-reading them to find a missing part of myself and how I handled a situation. Over the past year or so I have stopped journaling, but after reading some of the posts and seeing the YouTube video I might start up again. So not only does it help us emotionally, but it helps us academically in that we are working on our spelling, grammar, and overall train of thought.
ReplyDeleteKylee Jones
After reading the blog, as well as the comments,many things can be concluded. One is that reflective writing is a great tool for many people both in the educational system as well as in the career field. Reflective writing is used every day by most people without them even realizing it. For example, when a teenage girl writes in her diary about her day, she is using reflective writing. Another example is when a lawyer writes notes on what occurred in a court trial. The reason for this is that both of these people are reflecting on what happened throughout their day recording it. This is the concept of reflective writing.
ReplyDeleteGeorges Desliens
After watching the YouTube video I have to agree with Parme Giuntini in that now a days people don't keep a written journal, but a technological one. Students are more apt to use the computer to do reflective writing, or any writing for that matter, on a computer then on paper. I don't know about anyone else, but I have noticed that most students in my classes (the ones that I attend on campus) use their computers to take notes instead of the traditional way of taking notes with pens and paper. Not only can a student write faster when they are typing compared to writing by hand, but spell check can be incorporated. I have re-read notes from the past and have had a hard time understanding what I have written not only because of my handwriting, but also because of the spelling. So having students do reflective writing on computers is a good way to improve their skills because they will be more interested and free to express themselves.
ReplyDeleteKylee Jones
DeAnne~ I like that you mentioned the audience determines the type of language you use. I hadn't really thought about that, but it is so true. My writing is different depending if I am writing personally (journal, letters) or academically (papers). I haven't gotten to the point that I need to write professionally yet, especially since I am always in the water, but I imagine it would be different as the two previous styles.
ReplyDeleteSean~ How neat that you keep a professional journal. That is really a good idea!
Kylee Jones
Showing my age here, but nothing beats old fashioned note taking. For me, it helps reinforce an idea, concept or fact that I'm trying to comprehend. I love technology, really I do!, but I just can't get into note taking on my laptop. Give me a pen and notebook paper and I'm much more likely to remember what it is I'm trying to learn. Sometimes, I type up my handwritten notes so that I have an electronic version - further reinforcing the concept. Is that crazy?!
ReplyDeleteAnother weird thing about me? I cannot journal using my laptop. I find I focus too much on correcting spelling and grammatical mistakes. If I write in longhand, I just write; I don't think about anything other than what I'm trying to get down on paper.
Lisa Schmidt
I'm a big fan of reflective writing. Prompts are a great way to get your creative juices flowing. I notice that in our cornerstone class we're often given prompts to help us with our writing assignments. I find them helpful -sometimes I use them if I'm having trouble establishing a connection to the assignment. Sometimes, I don't always follow the prompts - unless required to do so. Again, it just depends on the assignment.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I notice that my children (middle and high school) are often given prompts to assist them in getting their thoughts and opinions on paper.
Lisa Schmidt
I'm stuck on the second assignment for this Week 11. The first prompt is who are you? Well, I am. I went back to some poems I wrote when I lived in Cherokee, NC in 93-96 "It is I am / Tonight I shall go / Castor and Pollux invite--red eyes glow / Solitary I walk in sky / In secret/ In shadows...Ball of fire once gold/ now blue.../ and started to get into it. Others have commented on their creative writing and how it's reflective (in reverse)!
ReplyDeleteBut reflective writing as we're assigned this week makes us look back (reflect)over the gulf ??? [Tony Orlando is singing 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree'(on Huckabee) which WMFJ AM 1490 Daytona played 77 times a day April 1973----I was in 6th grade...Jan 27 1973 Hostilities in Vietnam ceased (Paris Peace Accords) that day we took a field trip to Kennedy Space Center....] Just a reflection invoked by Tony Orlando (what happened to Dawn)?
OH well! [NOW] Sally Field//Boniva//The Flying Nun!/ Sept. 1967 First grade..."If your going to San Francisco?" June 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdvCqUguIh8
-----Jonathan Andrew Harris
It's true that nowadays students are much more likely to use a computer for reflective writing. I personally do all of my writing on the computer, and rarely touch paper for writing. I find it much easier to get down my true feelings or meanings on the computer. It's also great to have a backspace and delete key. They are both much easier to use than an eraser or white out.
ReplyDelete- Michael Sanacore
I forgot to sign my second blog post so I am posting it again with my signature...
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the other comments, I feel I should start keeping a journal of my own. Not only does it allow you to learn about yourself, as someone else noted it's a great way to remember things without having to start from scratch again. Thinking about it now, I have written ideas down in the past. I have also written a few stories/ scripts for movies or books that I thought would really be great. Most are based off things I have seen in life and always thought those things make the best comedies.
- Michael Sanacore
Reflective writing is very important to me. It helps me when I have a difficult challenge in my personal or professional life that I need to sort through, and it helps me process events after the dust has settled and I am no longer in "act" or "react" mode. I used to never practice reflective writing, but once I started I certainly noticed a difference in my life. Often I neglected to take the time to really think about what certain events meant to me, how I was affected, or even how my involvement in an event affected others. When I first started practicing reflective writing I hoped to be able to better understand external events and how the events impacted me. What I didn't expect to gain, but am very thankful for, is the opportunity to learn so much more about myself as I go through the process.
ReplyDelete-William Powell
@Lisa
ReplyDeleteI agree about old fashioned note taking. For me, putting pen to paper let's me capture my thoughts in their most pure form. When I try note taking on my computer my brain switches to "edit" mode and I find myself focusing on proper grammar, spelling, and editing for content and less on simple expression and getting my thoughts down on paper in their most raw form. I think each method has a valid purpose, but old fashioned note taking is still the foundation for me when I write.
-William Powell
@DeAnna
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% when you mention that when people write they tend to be more safe and professional. I was thinking the same thing but the words distilled and processed came to mind. There's a time and place for the safe, distilled, polished articulation, right? I'm wondering if that's really compatible with reflective writing though. Sure, in an academic setting there are certain expectations and a framework for communication, but in my opinion if it's truly reflective writing you want then the boundaries have to be eliminated. When I reflect in my thoughts I never consider how my thoughts may "land" on someone else, if someone's opinion of me would change if they knew what I was thinking, or if I would lose points for not choosing an appropriate level of vocabulary. I simply think and reflect in whatever language feels natural at the time. It's a personal reflection. I choose to write of my reflections for my own personal consumption. It's not because I don't want to share, or I feel there is something to be hidden from others in my reflection. It's because for me to go through the reflection process effectively, I can't allow myself to have the possibility to consider how would receive or interpret my reflections, or how my reflection measures up to a certain rubric (in the case of a personal reflection as an assignment for a class). If I allow myself to consider things like that, then I am not reflecting anymore, am I? It would be reflecting in a way to meet the expectations of someone else, and that's just not the spirit of personal reflections. I say write personal reflections for yourself and let the language and structure fly if that's what will enable you to express yourself!
-William Powell
You said it all William. It loses it's usefullness if you consider your audience and their reaction--therefore it's more valuable as a true expression when you write for your own benefit. In the addictions field this is an important part of therepy and it is life changing as you stated as well. One doesn't have to look back far either to gain extraordinary insights. There is also the concept of "automatic" writing which can be startling if you've ever encountered it!
ReplyDeleteJonathan Andrew Harris
Byron,
ReplyDeleteI used to keep a professional journal and it worked for me for awhile--then I became obsessed with it and it took on a life of it's own--I over analyzed it and made all sorts of comparisons and then comparing year to year and consulting it far too often. Perhaps had I not obssessed with it, it could have been a more useful tool. I don't keep a formal journal but periodically make notes and it's interesting what one chooses to note when you look back on it.
Jonathan Andrew Harris
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteAs to the professional journal - I keep it by project, which loosely defines to chronologically, but I leave a few pages sometime in case I have to go back and write some stuff in. As a marketing person, I think a journal based on each project would be best so all of those similar notes are in one place for easy access.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteKeeping a journal of things doesn't necessarily need to be a very formal process. It could be as easy as typing a few notes into a blog program every few days (remember the end of every episode of Doogie Houser, MD?), or using the voice record feature on many modern phones. Challenge yourself to try it for a few weeks and reflect if you are getting any benefit.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you are willing to share your stories to benefit others. I would predict that it helps you too knowing that others can benefit from your situations. Also, I think a portfolio from that perspective will show your strengths to overcome obstacles and succeed.
Deanna,
ReplyDeleteI think that your book of artifacts is a great start to getting a reflective journal off the ground. With that as your basis, adding notes about why each piece is important, why you've added it to the collection, and what your hopes for future use of the piece are could likely give you some clear direction with your theater work
Mark D. Siemer(Incase my name tag is incorrect)
ReplyDeleteTo me reflective writing is not something that can be written for a grade or to be shown to some one else because knowing that changes the nature of writing. to me reflective writing is simply a way for an individual to clear their head by jotting down their personal thoughts for introspection. In the youtube clip what the narrator described sounded more like a review in which you state your opinion for the purpose of some one else.