Journaling in Math

In thinking about my inquiry on student centered learning in mathematics, it became clear to me that I needed to change my assessment practice a bit. In addition to Math 8, I teach a course called Health and Career Education. In this course, my main focus is to challenge my students’ thinking and have them analyze their own lives and make informed decisions. A major assessment tool I use requires them to formalize their ideas, opinions and learnings in journals. It isn’t so much “did they get it right/wrong?”, but more of “are they thinking and problem solving?”. At the end of the day, is that not what I want out of them in Math as well?I came across an articleby Deb Russell on using journal writing in Math (Math Journals For All Ages). She explains how journaling in Math can be a valuable technique to develop and enhance mathematical thinking. Students have to be able to think about what he/she did in order to communicate it in writing. “When a math journal entry is required as a follow up to the specific learning goal, one actually has to think about what was done and what was required to solve the specific math activity or problem.” (Russell).

So, I decided to give it a whirl. The idea was not warmly received by my students. Anytime they hear the word journal, they think that they have to get all mushy and talk about their feelings. After explaining it more, they started to realize that the journal process was not going to be emotional, it was going to be difficult!! That was even worse than being mushy!! Explaining how they got the answers they did and/or explaining their methodology was fairly foreign to them and was no doubt intimidating. I’m interested to see what they have to say.