We're Back!

Now and again, life throws us a curve ball -- catching us a bit unprepared.  So it happen about a year ago:  serious issues caused us to halt our blogging efforts and rethink our approach to bringing forth systems to support online dialogue.

But those issues are behind us now and we will begin anew to share concepts and ideas around the broad subject of online collaborative activities and data collection.  We will use this space to demonstrate key features of our journaling system -- which will be the first application using the basic framework we are developing.

 

(Graphic is from the website for Pyramid Breweries, http://www.pyramidbrew.com/; "Curve Ball" is a seasonal product of this company.)

Reflective Journaling -- Tool for Learning and a Source of Evaluation Data

Reflective journaling is a useful and powerful technique for affecting self-discovery and personal and professional growth. The act of journaling involves the regular practice of recording activities and/or situations on paper or electronically with the goal of reflecting on those experiences in order to learn from them and grow personally and professionally.

Journaling is useful in providing insight into self-awareness - what you do (behaviors), why you do it (values, assumptions, aspirations) how you feel (emotions), and how you think. Journaling can expose contradictions, misconceptions, and conflict. In short, it helps you turn every incident into a new potential learning experience.

Evaluation Perspective: Journals obtained from target program participants can provide a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data for program analysis and evaluation.

Journals can be either paper-based or electronic. You can keep a journal on sheets of paper which you can organize in a three-ring binder or write in any small bound notebook. Electronic journals can be maintained on a computer, laptop, or personal digital assistant (PDA). Any word processing program like Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or even Notepad will serve.

Obsidian Communications has developed a modular, online journaling system that supports reflective journaling (and even simple learning logs). Two key elements of the Obsidian Communications platform:

1. Administrative module to handle registrations, invitations, and other administrative functions associated with a journaling project.
2. Two-Part Journaling module:
   • Administrator functions such as creating and assigning questions to be addressed and to read and respond to journal entries.
   • User functions – including composing journal entries, reviewing past entries, and interacting with Administrator.

Again, these are but two of the key elements; others have been developed and will be released to the prototype over the next few weeks and months.

For more information and a live demonstration of this platform, go to Online Journal Application / Prototype .

Reference: Reflective Journaling

Web Journaling -- What we Might Learn from Nurses

Web journaling: Using informational technology to teach reflective practice.
Abstract: Reflection is a process by which we think about experiences and relieve them. Web journaling is a tool that gives students opportunities to use reflection when they are away from the immediate clinical environment. Through such reflection the student's personal knowledge that informs their practice is revealed. The revelation of personal knowledge is key to structuring subsequent faculty guidance. The web journal is a vehicle for student/faculty dialogue aimed at expanding both the faculty's responses to students' learning needs and the students' responses to persons in their care. Questions formulated in the dialogue direct the student's web-based search for new information. Faculty guidance subsequently focuses on the student's decisions regarding the use of information to direct clinical practice. Web journaling done over several nursing courses reinforces a model of learning, which is increasingly more deliberative and intentional. Web journaling may contribute to the development of practice throughout a nursing career because it becomes a way for self-directed learning.¹

Online, directed journaling in community health advanced practice nursing clinical education.
Abstract: Sharing of experiences in advanced practice nursing clinical courses allows for application of core principals to different facets of practice, with the potential to promote discussions beyond the course objectives, create opportunities for mentoring, foster critical thinking, and facilitate change and socialization into advanced practice. A pilot test of online, directed journaling, an innovative sharing and reflection strategy was incorporated in a two-quarter community health advanced practice nursing clinical course in an attempt to enhance clinical learning. Six female graduate nursing students completed the journaling. A 10-item evaluation measure demonstrated that the online journaling strategy was highly effective and valuable for the students. An assessment of the journaling entries found multiple examples of discussion, mentoring, critical thinking, and socialization. Innovative online strategies should become the standard for sharing in advanced practice nursing education.²

Obsidian Communications has developed a modular, online journaling system that supports reflective journaling – including the capture and subsequent analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. For more information and a live demonstration of this platform, go to Online Journal Application / Prototype.

Citations:

1. http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/12593336
2. http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/15098912