Teachers can assign personal journals in any format they want, but free-form and structured style are two of the most common. A free-form journal format allows students to choose what they want to say, though teachers provide a general topic or subject matter. A structured format may include prompts given by an instructor that asks students to answer specific questions about subject matter taught in the class. It may also direct students to explain concepts and theories in their own words, which helps teachers evaluate their understanding of course material.
Whether they're in free-form or structured style, personal journals give teachers the opportunity to evaluate and assess writing skills. Though clear writing is especially important in language arts, English, composition and literature classes, it is a fundamental skill that applies to nearly every school subject. Teachers can evaluate spelling, grammar, punctation and sentence structure through the use of personal journals, even if they are not giving the journals a grade. This also helps teachers measure what areas of their classroom instruction require more focus.
Because it is a confidential exercise between student and teacher, personal journals can help instructors develop a closer relationship with students. When students are encouraged to be honest in their journal entries, they get the chance to express their unfiltered thoughts, including frustration or confusion about the subject matter being taught. This helps teachers understand the areas in which a student is struggling, but also gives them insight into the processes that govern a student's thinking. This allows teachers to provide more individualized instruction to increase a student's comprehension of the subject matter.
Teachers can use personal journals after each unit of study to determine the level of understanding of concepts and ideas. This method can be effective for nearly every subject, including math, science, social studies and history. Students are given specific prompts to respond to in their journals. For example, a science teacher may write a prompt such as, "What was the hardest concept in this unit ? Explain why you found it difficult." Students then respond with complete freedom to express their opinion, which often yields answers that were never broached in class. Teachers can also use journal prompts that ask students to explain a concept or idea in their own words. These types of prompts create journal entries that help teachers measure the effectiveness of their instruction and the areas in which improvement is needed.