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Journals are personal spaces for students to communicate privately with you. Students can also use journals as a self-reflective tool. They can post their opinions, ideas, and concerns about the course, or discuss and analyze course-related materials.
You can create journal assignments that are broad and student-directed. Students can reflect on the learning process and document changes in their perceptions and attitudes. Students can describe the problems faced and how they solved them. You can also create instructor-directed journal entries that are more formal in nature. You can narrow the focus with a list of topics for discussion.
Creating a Journal
- From the Control Panel click on Course Tools
- Click on Journals
- Click on Create Journal
- Enter a name for the journal, followed with instructions or description of its purpose.
- Set the journal availability, date and time restrictions and settings based on your needs. (Note: Typically, and by default in Blackboard, a journal is private between the instructor and the student, so the last setting, "permit course users to view journal", is seldom chosen.)
- Enable grading and enter possible points, due date and rubric if you wish to have grading for the journals. If not, leave journal set to no grading.
- Click on “Submit”.
Students can express their thoughts, questions, and concerns to you privately.
Examples:
- Ask students to record observations.
- Question the content.
- Identify areas for help.
- Develop a plan for improvement.
- Set goals.
- Evaluate their educational journeys.
- Submit prewriting for a graded assignment for guidance and feedback.
