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

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2.

3.

4.

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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