There is great value in journal writing. Like meditation, journal writing takes practice to achieve mastery and realize that it is one of the most powerful tools you have for clarifying your own thinking. As part of the requirements for this course, you will keep a reflective journal in which you will explore your responses to your service learning experiences.
Grade: 30% of total grade
Procedures
Beginning in the third week of class you will record your service learning (SL) experience in a journal each week for the 10 week period. Journal entries are due the week following your service. NO late journal assignments will be accepted after the end of class on the week they are due. Journals can be turned in to the Department of Health Sciences if you cannot make it to class.
Each journal entry should contain 3 sections that address the following:
BLUE: Objectively describe the SL activities you were involved in this week. Record only what you saw without any judgments or preconceived ideas. Don't interpret what you observed.
RED: Reflect on the SL experience. Describe how you felt about the encounter--share all of the excitement, frustration, anxieties, boredom, setback, challenges, surprises, etc.
GREEN: Evaluate the experience relative to what is currently being presented in lecture. Connect what we are learning in class with what you are learning at your site. Use information from your textbooks and readings to support what you discuss. Underline the concept/theory and give the exact page number(s) in the text where the concept/theory is stated.
FAQ'S
(1) How long should a journal entry be?
In general, each journal entry should be the result of 15 minutes of concentrated thinking and writing. A minimum of one full page is a reasonable goal.
(2) Do you get automatic credit just for doing the entries?
You will be assessed on demonstrating critical and reflective thinking that connects the content of the course to the community service experience. You will not be judged on things like spelling, organization, and grammar.
Send questions or comments about this website to: Debra Sheets, RN, Ph.D |
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