Journal writing as a teaching technique to promote reflection.

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Athletic Training Pedagogy

Background:

• Journal writing fosters student reflection and emotional expression within educational contexts.
• The structure of journal assignments can be tailored to student needs and instructor objectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the process of implementing journal writing to promote reflection in athletic training education.
• To discuss strategies for integrating journal writing into athletic training curricula.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of key considerations for designing journal writing assignments.
• Analysis of factors involved in providing feedback on student journal entries.

Main Results:

• Journal writing assignments enhance reflection, critical thinking, and argumentation skills.
• Journals help students articulate feelings and bridge the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Journal writing is a valuable tool for athletic training students, promoting self-awareness and clinical reasoning.
• Adapting journals into clinical courses supports students in navigating practical challenges and experiences.