Learning Journals in Higher and Research Proposal

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One result is that in spite of being told how to record a journal in the context of an independent format, most students used a format preferred by the teacher which demonstrates a possible "lack of proficiency with reflective writing" (2002, p. 343), meaning that almost all of the students were not at all familiar with reflective writing techniques and decided to adhere to a format more in line with what the teacher expected or preferred. Another result is that 55% of the submitted journals appear to have become more critical and self-reflective toward the end of the course, an indication that these students had actually become more proficient as reflective writers as a result of keeping a record of their thoughts and achievements.

As to strengths and weaknesses related to the article, it is clear that Langer is a master of academic extrapolation, due to his ability to write about and discuss rather complicated data and information. However, his writing style is not so overwhelmingly congested with extrapolation to the point of becoming unreadable, as is the case with other academic essays written by some very prominent scholars. Langer also chose to use bullet headings as a way of separating his basic ideas from the rest of the text, such as in the first section of his research methods.

Langer also includes some of the questions that were asked of the students during the interview process, one being their reaction to the requirement to keep a learning journal-

"reactions were mixed and sometimes prejudicial. . . one student felt insulted," feeling that journal writing "seems better suited children" (2002, p. 344). As to weaknesses, after a very close reading of Langer's article, there appears to be none, due to the fact that Langer's academic style provides all of the proper data and information needed to understand his argument without cluttering up the page with redundant facts and figures.

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Reflectively speaking, Langer's excellent article provides a new glimpse into how important it is for students at the university level to record their thoughts, ideas and concepts in a journal. Obviously, this technique could also be utilized in high schools and even at the intermediate level which would give students a sort of jump start on what to expect at a university, especially if their major is in one of the hard sciences, such as computer technology, engineering and medicine.

Langer's methodology in relation to conducting his research is also somewhat innovative, due to providing summaries of all his sections so that the reader does not become confused and knows ahead of time what to expect in the next section/heading. Langer also utilizes a strict adherence to the APA style which by itself is not surprising, considering that most academic essays with education as the subject uses the APA style, not to mention being a requirement by most journal editors and publishers.

During the completion of this assignment, there occurred no insurmountable difficulties or problems, due to the fact that Langer expresses himself in a most enlightening academic style and seems to understand that a small percentage of readers might not be that fluent with academic writing, something which indicates on the part of students that they should consider keeping some type of learning journal if for no other reason than as a form of academic practice.

REFERENCES

Langer, a.M. (2002). Reflecting on practice: using learning journals in higher and continuing education. Teaching in Higher Education, 7(3), 337-352.

Petersen, M.N. (2005). Non-traditional students in….....

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