Journals, Reflection, and Learning A journal is a crucible for processing the raw material of experience in order to integrate it with existing knowledge and create new meaning. Among the many purposes for journal writing are the following: to break habitual ways of thinking; enhance the development of reflective judgment and metacognition; increase awareness of tacit knowledge; facilitate self-exploration and personal growth; and work out solutions to problems (Andrusyszyn and Davie 1997; Mitchell
According to McArthur, Konold, Glutting and Alamprese (2010), many adults in the United States have difficulties with basic literacy. A solution to this situation has been the founding of adult basic education (ABE) programs by the U.S Department of Education which helps and serves more than 2 million adults annually (U.S Department of Education, Division of Adult Education and Literacy, 2002, 2006). Mellard and Patterson (2008) found that ABE students differ in skill from zero or minimal reading
mostly focused on helping educators promote and improve literacy inside and outside of school. Literacy includes reading and writing, which would explain why JAAL contains articles about both components of literacy—although they are more focused on reading than writing. There are definite patterns, such as digital literacy, multicultural education, and student-centered learning. The patterns arise from “hot topics” in literacy education. JAAL seems to publish articles that are connected to those
One of the largest, most significant problems in adult education and learning is apathy. Apathy can be defined as a lack of interest in activities or interaction, which I believe is greatly seen throughout a school day. Students from all age groups suffer from a lack of interest in the material that they are being taught. However, this problem seems to be considerably more prevalent among adult learners. Researchers have pointed out many causes behind apathy in the classroom, ranging from the expectation
experience that related to my learning at primary school which influences my desire to teach. The first experience is the critical moment that aroused my interest in education, the next one describes how my teacher Mr. P changed me and influenced me to have an idea to be a teacher. The last experience is about the interaction between my classmates
Classrooms Positive Learning Environments The power of today's technology can help teachers in making their classrooms positive learning environments. Children are eager to learn new skills and the power of technology can help them become achievers. Technology can help teachers organize their classrooms and it adds the power of efficiency as well. Children can work on computers while the teacher helps others. Students have an advantage over paper and pencil by writing with a word processor
subject, involving influence from one’s life and experiences, thus a reflective journal is designed to help me think deeply about my learning, especially on issues such as: my progress in learning, the difficulties I may have encountered in the process of learning, the strategies I have taken to get around those difficulties, and my evaluation of my own performance. For the study, writing a reflective learning journal helps me: bring together theory and practice and yield better understanding of
ability to reflect critically on one’s experience, integrate knowledge gained from experience with knowledge possessed, and take action on insights is considered by some adult educators to be a distinguishing feature of the adult learner (Brookfield 1998; Ecclestone 1996; Mezirow 1991). Critical reflection is the process by which adults identify the assumptions governing their actions, locate the historical and cultural origins of the assumptions, question the meaning of the assumptions, and develop
Learning Disability Dyslexia Whether we graduate from highschool or college we all hope to find a challenging career that will propel us forward in today's society. For those suffering from dyslexia this only adds to the frustration and fears associated with seeking employment. Many adults with dyslexia or other forms of learning disabilities never disclose their disability in interviews or once employed for fear of being discriminated against. Several investigators have noted, however, that many
young age through observation. A great example is the Bobo doll experiment. In the experiment, children watch an adult beat up on a bobo doll, and then a child is put into the room with the bobo doll to see how he treats the doll. During this experiment, the child repeated the behavior of the adult and beat up the doll. This experiment was also done the other way around, where the adult was nice to the doll and the children watching were put into the room individually, were nice to the doll. This