professional reflective journals and time logs tools for an effective field placement
TRANSCRIPT
PROFESSIONAL REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
ANDTIME LOGS
Tools for an Effective Field Placement
Field RequirementsAll students in field are required to complete:
• Learning contracts• Journals• Time logs• Field Evaluation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
WHAT is to be learned?
HOWWill you learn this?
What activities are required?
WHO/WHERE will you go/ask
for help?
HOW do you prove that you
have successfully achieved the
objective?
WHENTimelines?
Learning Contract
Monitoring Process• Field Instructor is responsible for
supervising students and using various “tools” to monitor and evaluate a student’s performance.
Common Evaluation Tools• Verbal reports• Process recording• File recording• Video tapes• Direct observation• Co-facilitating• One way mirrors• Modeling• Journalling• Time logs
Professional Reflective Journalling
• Journalling is a required tool that Field Instructors can review during supervision with the student.
• Journalling gives Field Instructors and students an opportunity to– discuss issues in field; and– allows questions and concerns to be
addressed during supervision.
What is a Professional Reflective Journal?
Reflective journals describe:• daily experiences while in field placement• thoughts, feelings about the day/week• theories or concepts that have been applied• what learning has occurred • questions/concerns
Journalling provides an opportunity to develop and demonstrate critical thinking
skills
Professional Reflective JournallingWeek of (Date) to Week of (Date)
Journals are used to help you reflect on how you are growing as a professional and to identify areas of concern or issues that
can be discussed with your field instructor during supervision.
Student Reflection• What have I learned this week and what skills have I developed?• Did I consciously apply theory to practice?• What theories did I use?• What did I struggle with and how could I have improved?• What were my reactions / feelings / actions?• How can I improve and what resources do I have available to
assist in developing my skills further?
Benefits of Keeping a Journal• Reminds students of questions which arise
between supervision times• Keeps students focused on tasks that are tied
to their learning contract goals• Encourages students to THINK THEORY and
connect theory to practice• Provides insight regarding strengths and areas
requiring development while in field placement• Helps to identify and address issues which may
arise during placement.
Time Logs• Time logs are now required to be
completed by the student and approved and signed off by the Field instructor.
• Time logs are found on the Faculty of Social Work website – Field Education Program
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Time logs Keep track of
hours
Remind students to reflect upon specific experiences in their
journal
Remind students to discuss
issues/experiences during
supervision
Connect their learning to the
evaluation process
Ensure that there is a process in place to track hours should a
discrepancy occur
Time Logs
Field Placement Time Log Field Student: _____________________ Field Instructor: ___________________Placement Site: _____________________________________________________________________
Time Period From: Sept 4-9/2012
Date Time Spent
ActivitiesWhat did you do, who did you met with,
training/conferences
Relevance to Learning
Objectives
Student Initials
Instructor Initials
Sept 4 3.5 hr Introduction to Agency, met with field instructor, tour of agency,
1, 3, 4, 5, 10
1 hr Attended Inpatient MeetingDuring that meeting I was asked to assess a client and used the stages of change chart to identify where the client was regarding stage of change
1, 3
Sept 5
1 hr
SICK
Attended group session for youthI was an observer today however was asked to co facilitate the group therefore I will read information regarding facilitating youth groups and remind myself of small group processContacted Field Instructor and left message on answering machine
5
Time Logs• Provide accountability and act as
a reference should issues or discrepancies arise;
• Provide a written record should there be a change in supervisors and/or placement; and
• Keep students on track regarding “time spent” on learning goals.
Time Logs and Journals are linked to the Competencies in Evaluation
1 2 3 4 5
UnsatisfactoryPerformance
Marginal OrInconsistentPerformance
Has Understanding OfAnd Is Beginning To
Undertake Action
Usually Consistent AND Reliable Performance,
Beginning To InitiateAction Independently
Exceptional PerformanceThat Shows ConsistentInitiative And Analytic
Abilities
UNSATISFACTORY (FAIL) SATISFACTORY (PASS)
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
2. EFFECTIVENESS WITHIN AGENCY AND COMMUNITYMID
TERMFINAL
2.1 Understands the purpose, mandate, and function of the agency. (1)
2.2 Is able to articulate the concerns of the client population serviced by the agency. (1)
Faculty Liaisons• Offer support to Instructors and students;• Maintain contact to support field-related
learning;• Meet at pivotal points (e.g., Learning
Contract, mid-term and final evaluations); and
• Offer support to Instructors as they review student performance, including completion of journals and time logs.
Concerns or Questions? • Students: communicate directly
with your Field Instructor• Visit the Faculty of Social Work web
site for more information and ideas• Consult your Field Liaison