Diaries

Purpose
To get pupils to keep a record of what they are learning during a topic / project and how they feel about it. To encourage reflection, and keep a cumulative record.

Preparation
Resources
A diary/notebook for each pupil

Teacher time
Decide whether you want to include a set of key questions or concepts related to the topic that you want pupils to comment on e.g. a list of questions asking pupils to jot down what they understand by a concept such as sustainable development or interdependence.

Procedure
Tell pupils that you are giving them this diary/notebook to keep a record of what they have learnt during their work on the project. They can note down what they have found interesting/boring/exciting about what they have found out.

They can also record how what they have learnt has made them feel. For example: Does it make them feel angry or sad? Has it made them feel empowered or disempowered? Do they feel strongly enough to actually do something about it?

If you decided to include a list of questions around a concept such as sustainable development, you might ask pupils to jot down:

• - What do you understand by sustainable development?
• - Whose responsibility is it to try and achieve sustainable development?
• - Why?

They could also be asked to draw their vision of a sustainable city and what they could/ would change in order to achieve this vision.

The ideas pupils have outlined are revisited at various points during the project and pupils themselves note down how they think their ideas have changed and why. This helps to give them a picture of how the project has influenced them.

The purpose and level of confidentiality of the diary needs to be set out and agreed at the outset. Also the format of the diary (exercise book, scrapbook, folder etc.), where they will be kept and who has access to them will need to be discussed and agreed. Issues to consider are:
Is it a pupil record for their own use? Will they be the only ones to see it? If so, how will the teacher know they are keeping up with it?

• Is it a pupil record, but one from which they will have to submit sections of their choosing, or summaries to the teacher as evidence of learning / critical thinking?
  

Is it an open record that can be viewed at any time

Advantages of this methodology

• Fairly easy to set up, carry out and administer
• Makes pupips reponsible for their own learning.
• Allows learners to come from different starting points. Personal feelings are acceptable.
• Relatively informal structure (option of words, drawings, sentences); allows free association / unstructured thought
• Records learning journey -. Develop habit of self-analysis
• Affirmation that results from recognising how you have reflected, learnt and moved on.
  

Disadvantages of this methodology

• Relies on pupil commitment
• Relies on regular (and varied?) input - Getting into the habit of using it regularly
• Pupils may be wary of how the information is perceived or used
• Relies on pupil's writing ability or someone taking the time to help pupils express their thoughts or the ability of a pupil to express her/himself in ways other than with words e.g. pictures, cartoons
• Can take time to develop less formal style and become spontaneous / break down academic barriers