An Investigation of Students’ Academic
Development, Views, and Feelings
through Journals

Dilek ERDURAN AVCI; Dilek KARACA

doi:10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals

Full Text (PDF)

Dilek ERDURAN AVCI ¹ ^* , Dilek KARACA ¹

More Detail

¹ Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi, TURKEY^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate upper primary school students’ academic development in science courses and to evaluate their views and feelings about self-learning processes through journals. Students in 6th and 7th grade wrote journals twice a week for nine weeks. We evaluated the journals weekly according to the Science Journal Rubric (SCR), and individually observed students’ academic developments. Subsequently, we also evaluated the journals by focusing on expressions in which students revealed their views and feelings about learning processes, excluding scientific concepts. We grouped the expressions containing views and/or feelings about the learning process into five categories. These categories were classmates, teacher, self-expressions, courses, and journals. The results supported the assertion that journals contain information not only about students’ academic development but also about their personal and affective sides.

Keywords

student journal
science journal rubric
academic development
feelings

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 8, Issue 3, 2012, 177-188

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

Publication date: 12 Jan 2012

Article Views: 1606

Article Downloads: 770

Open Access References How to cite this article

References

Adamson, L. B., Foster, M. A., Roark, M. L., & Reed, D. B. (1998). Doing a science project: gender differences during childhood. Journal of Research on Science Teaching, 35, 845–857.
Ajello, T. (2000). Science journals: Writing, drawing and learning. Teaching Pre K-8, 30(5), 56-57.
Anders, P. L., & Guzzetti, B. J. (1996). Literacy instruction in the content areas. New York: Harcourt Brace.
Atılgan, H. (2006). Eğitimde ölçme ve değerlendirme [Measurement and evaluation in education]. Ankara: Anı Yayıncılık.
Bain, J. D., Mills, C., Ballantyne, R., & Packer, J. (2002). Developing reflection on practice through journal writing: impacts of variations in the focus and level of feedback. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 8 (2), 171-196.
Bangert-Drowns, R., Hurley, M., & Wilkinson, B. (2004). The effects of school-based writing-to-learn interventions on academic achievement: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 74(1), 29–58.
Barton, J. A., & Brown, N. J. (1992). Evaluation study of a transcultural discovery learning model. Publish Health Nursing, 9 (4), 234-241.
Blake, T. K. (2005). Journaling; An active learning technique. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 2(1), Article 7.
Blumenfeld, E. R. (2010). Reflections on student journals and teaching about inequality. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 23 (2), 101-106.
Boud, D. (2001). Using journal writing to enhance reflective practice. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 90, 9-17.
Caine, R.N., & Caine, G. (1991). Making Connections: Teaching and the Human Brain. Alexandriai, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Caine, R.N., & Caine, G. (1995). Reinventing Schools Through Brain- Based Learning. Educational Leaderhip, 32 (7), 43-48.
Chirema, K. D. (2007). The use of reflective journals in the promotion of reflection and learning in post registration nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 27, 192-202.
Conner, L., & Gunstone, R. (2004). Conscious knowledge of learning: accessing learning strategies in a final year high school biology class. International Journal of Science Education, 26(12), 1427- 1443.
Cornish, M. M. & Cantor, P. A. (2008). “Thinking about thinking: It's not just for philosophers:” Using metacognitive journals to teach and learn about constructivism. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 29 (4), 326-339.
Council of Chief State School Officers (2002). Model Standards in Science for Beginning Teacher Licensing and Development: A Resource for State Dialogue. Washington, DC.: Council of Chief State School Officers (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 470 534).
Creme, P. (2005). Should student learning journals be assessed? Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 30 (3), 287-296.
Dempsey, M. S., PytlikZillig, L. M., & Bruning, R. H. (2009). Helping preservice teachers learn to assess writing: Practice and feedback in a web-based environment. Assessing Writing, 14, 38–61.
Dorris, E. (1991). Doing what scientists do: Children learn to investigate their world. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Dunlap, J.C. (2006). Using guided reflective journaling activities to capture students’ changing perceptions. TechTrends, 50 (6), 20-26.
Dyment, J. E. & O'Connell, T. S. (2011). Assessing the quality of reflection in student journals: A review of the research. Teaching in Higher Education, 16 (1), 81-97.
Ediger, M. (2001). Student journal writing in science (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED448462).
Erduran Avcı, D. (2008). The use of student journals in science and technology education. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 30, 17-32.
Erduran Avcı, D., & Uslu, H. (2009). Students' opinions about writing journal in science-technology and mathematics lessons. In G. Cakmakci & M.F. Taşar (Eds.), Contemporary science education research: learning and assessment (pp. 361-368). Ankara, Turkey: Pegem Akademi.
Erlauer, L. (2003). The brain compatible classroom. Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Fisher, C. M. (1990). Student journal writing in marketing courses. Journal of Marketing Education, 12, 46-51.
Fulwiler, T. (2000). The personal connection: journal writing across the curriculum. In T. Fulwiler & A. Young (Eds.), Language Connections: Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (pp.15-31). WAC Clearinghouse Landmark Publications in Writing Studies (Originally published in print, 1982, by National Council of Tearchers of English, Urbana, Illinois).
Gallagher, P. A., Vail, C. O., & Monda-Amaya, L. (2008). Perceptions of collaboration: A content analysis of student journals. Teacher Education and Special Education, 31 (1), 12-20.
Garmon, M. A. (1998). Using dialog journals to promote student learning in a multicultural teacher education course. Remedial and Special Education, 19(1), 32-45.
Goldenhar, L. M., & Kues, J. R. (2006). Effectiveness of a geriatric medical student scholars program: A qualitative assessment. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54(3), 527-534.
Grande, M. (2008). Using dialogue journals and interest inventories with classroom volunteers. Teaching Exceptional Children, 41 (2), 56-63.
Güneş, T., & Demir, S. (2007). Effect of life and social science courses presented in primary school curriculum on preparation of students for science learning. Hacettepe University the Journal of Education, 33, 169-180.
Hanrahan, M. (1999). Rethinking science literacy: Enhancing communication and participation in school science through affirmational dialogue journal writing. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 36(6), 699-717.
Hume, A. (2009). Promoting higher levels of reflective writing in student journals. Higher Education Research & Development, 28(3), 247-260.
Kaur, S. (2003). Using student journals for evaluating course experience. UltiBASE, November. Retrieved June 30, 2010, from http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/ nov03/kaur2.htm.
Korkmaz, H. (2004). Fen ve teknoloji eğitiminde alternatif değerlendirme yaklaşımları [Alternative assessment approaches in science and technology education]. Ankara: Yeryüzü Yayınevi.
Lambirth, A., & Goouch, K. (2006). Golden times of writing: The creative compliance of writing journals. Literacy, 40(3), 146-152.
Lickona, T. (1991). Educating for character: How our schools can teach respect and responsibility. New York: Bantam Books.
Maidment, J. & Crisp, B. R. (2011). The impact of emotions on practicum learning. Social Work Education, 30 (4), 408-421.
Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook (2nd edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Ministry of Education. (2005). İlköğretim fen ve teknoloji dersi öğretim programı ve klavuzu [Elementary science and technology course curriculum and handbook]. Ankara, Turkey: Devlet Kitapları Müdürlüğü.
Palmer, S., Holt, D. & Bray, S. (2008). The learning outcomes of an online reflective journal in engineering. In Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology? Proceedings ascilite Melbourne 2008. Retrieved Auğust 25, 2010, from http://www.ascilite.org.au/ conferences/melbourne08/procs/palmer.pdf.
Parer, M. S. (1988). Students' experience of external studies: Student diary project. Churchill Vic.: Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education. Australia Centre for Distance Learning.
Regan, K. S. (2003). Using dialogue journals in the classroom: Forming relationships with students with emotional disturbance. Teaching Exceptional Children, 36(2), 36-41.
Richardson, D., & Boutwell, L. (1993). Examining preservice experiences through journals. Year Two. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Mid-South Educational Research Association, Knoxville, November 1992 (ED 368681).
Richardson, M. S., Meade, P., Rosbruch, N., Vescio, C. , Price, L., & , Cordero, A. (2009). Intentional and identity processes: A social constructionist investigation using student journals. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74 (1), 63-74.
Roe, M. F., & Stallman, A. (1994). A comparative study of dialogue and response journals. Teaching and Teacher Education, 10(6), 579-588.
Roth, R. L. (1985). Learning about gender through writing: Student journals in the undergraduate classroom. Teaching Sociology, 12(3), 325-38.
Ruiz-Primo, M.A., Li, M., Ayala, C., & Shavelson, R. J. (1999, March 30). Student science journals and the evidence they provide: Classroom learning and opportunity to learn. Paper Presented at the NARST Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
Ruiz-Primo, M. A., Li, M., Ayala, C., & Shavelson R. J. (2004). Evaluating students’ science notebooks as an assessment tool. International Journal of Science Education, 26 (12), 1477-1506.
Seven, M. A., & Engin, A. O. (2008). Öğrenmeyi etkileyen faktörler [Factors affecting learning]. Atatürk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 12(2), 189-212.
Shepardson, D. P., & Britsch, S. J. (1997). Children’s science journals: tools for teaching, learning and assessing. Science and Children, 34(5), 12-17, 46-47.
Shepardson, D. P, & Britsch, S. J. (2000). Analyzing childern’s science journals: What can students’ science journals tell us about what they are learning?. Science and Children, November/December, 29-33.
Shepardson, D. P., & Britsch, S. J. (2001). The role of children’s journals in elementary school science activities. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(1), 43- 69.
Sprenger, M. (1999). Learning & Memory: Brain in Action. Alexandra: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Tok, Ş. (2008). The effects of reflective thinking activities in science course on academic achievements and attitudes toward science. Elementary Education Online, 7(3), 557- 568.
Yore, L. D., Hand, B., Goldman, S. R., Hildebrand, G. M., Osborne, J. F., Treagust, D. F., et al. (2004). New Directions in Language and Science Education Research, 39(3), 347-352.
Yore, L.D., Hand, B., & Prain, V. (1999, January). Writing-tolearn science: Breakthroughs, barriers, and promises. Paper presented at the international conference of the Association for Educating Teachers in Science, Austin, TX (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED441688).
Wagner, Z. M. (1999). Using student journals for course evaluation. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 24(3), 261 -272.
Wanket, M. (2005). Building the habit of writing. Educational Leadership, 63(1), 74-76.
Wolfe, P. (2006). The role of meaning and emotion in learning. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 110, 35-41.

How to cite this article

APA

AVCI, D. E., & KARACA, D. (2012). An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 8(3), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

Vancouver

AVCI DE, KARACA D. An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2012;8(3):177-88. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

AMA

AVCI DE, KARACA D. An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2012;8(3), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

Chicago

AVCI, Dilek ERDURAN, and Dilek KARACA. "An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2012 8 no. 3 (2012): 177-188. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

Harvard

AVCI, D. E., and KARACA, D. (2012). An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 8(3), pp. 177-188. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a

MLA

AVCI, Dilek ERDURAN et al. "An Investigation of Students’ Academic Development, Views, and Feelings through Journals". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 8, no. 3, 2012, pp. 177-188. https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2012.833a