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Summary: Having the students keep a journal that they turn it at some point will encourage them to read the textbook. Learn how to manage a college classroom by assigning journaling from a professional speaker and communications instructor in this free video.
Tracy Goodwin has a master’s in corporate communication and 10 years experience in professional speaking. Recipient of numerous public speaking awards and is a college professor of...read more
"Another way to ensure that students read the text, is journals. Now, maybe like we've talked about before, you really don't want to give tests. You really don't want to give quizzes, but you need to know that the students are reading the material. Have them write a journal. Maybe they don't turn it in until the end of the semester. Maybe they turn it in every week, however you want to do it, but you assign a certain set of pages, maybe page, or maybe even a whole chapter, chapter one or pages eleven through fifteen. Then reflect on what you learned, or perhaps you give them some specific journal questions. What was Joe Smith talking about in his theory? Sum it up in three sentences, so that gives the students an opportunity to read the text. Learn the material, but not feel the pressure of testing or quizzing, or anything like that, so journals are a really good way to make sure that the students are reading the text, as well as other assignments that you can give, that they can write in their journal. I highly recommend and encourage journals."
eHow Article: Classroom Management: Journals