Professional Reflective Journals and Time Logs

1. Professional Reflective JournalsandTime Logs Tools for an Effective Field Placement

2. Field Requirements All students in field are required to complete: • Learning contracts • Journals • Time logs • Field Evaluation

3. Learning Contract WHAT is to be learned? WHEN Timelines? WHO/WHERE will you go/ask for help? HOW Will you learn this? What activities are required? HOW do you prove that you have successfully achieved the objective?

4. Monitoring Process Field Instructor is responsible for supervising students and using various “tools” to monitor and evaluate a student’s performance.

5. Common Evaluation Tools Verbal reports Process recording File recording Video tapes Direct observation Co-facilitating One way mirrors Modeling Journalling Time logs

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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.

10. Time Logs Time logs are now requiredto 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

11. Time Logs Time logs Keep track of hours Ensure that there is a process in place to track hours should a discrepancy occur Remind students to discuss issues/experiences during supervision Remind students to reflect upon specific experiences in their journal Connect their learning to the evaluation process

12. Field Placement Time Log Field Student: _____________________ Field Instructor: ___________________Placement Site: _____________________________________________________________________Time Period From: Sept 4-9/2012

13. 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.

14. Time Logs and Journals are linked to the Competencies in Evaluation

15. 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.

16. 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