Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:3971] Learning Leadership Journal
From: Brent Muirhead (bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu)
Date: Wed 09 Oct 2002 - 13:26:28 MEST
From: "Brent Muirhead" <bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:3971] Learning Leadership Journal Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 07:26:28 -0400
Greetings Colleagues!
I have had several requests over the past year for a handout on journal
writing that I refer to in my pre-discussion paper. I have enclosed my
handout for you. Please feel free to use this handout with appropriate
citation for me. Thanks
Learning Leadership Journal
DOC 791OR Session 1
Instructor: Brent Muirhead D.Min., Ph.D.
Introduction: Why do students become a little uncomfortable when asked by a
teacher to write? The answer to that question often involves the
circumstances that people have had to write their ideas and thoughts down on
paper. Sometimes the pressure to produce a paper has left people with a
negative thoughts about writing. Also, some teachers can become excessive in
their criticism of written work and it can demoralize an individual. Oh, I
recall once getting back a term paper from a professor in my first doctoral
program and it was covered in red ink.YIKES!
Today, I plan to share with you a more positive approach to writing. It is
called journal writing. Fulwiler (1982) defines journal writing as
"expressive, personal writing in the first person about ideas that the
writer perceives to be important. It can be broad in scope or narrow,
focusing on response to one academic subject or drawing connections from the
whole of the writer's frame of reference (p. 17). I will help you create a
writing routine that will help you take your writing to a higher level of
excellence while making it an enjoyable experience.
Facing the Challenges of Writing
Procrastination- often the greatest battle is getting started!
Indecision- sometimes it is difficult to write because a specific topic is
illusive.
A lack of a clear purpose can be the result of cranking out term papers for
classes that failed to have any relevancy for your personal or professional
life.
Stress/Anxiety- being tense can make us not want to write. Unfortunately,
the anxiety can increase when a deadline approaches but you cannot seem to
make any progress.
Job/personal problems- negative work experiences can drain you emotionally
and make it more difficult to become engaged in the writing process.
Term paper syndrome- an absence of a personal autonomy from having to crank
out numerous term papers. Now, you have the opportunity to write on a
variety of topics but you are not used to this level of academic freedom.
Benefits of Writing
Provides an aid to our memory- researchers and writers have learned the
value of
recording their ideas.
Provide a basis for creating new perspectives- it creates a framework to
explore relationships and arguments between ideas.
Enhances critical thinking skills- learn to analyze the underlying
assumptions of our actions and those of others is a very liberating process.
Provides psychological/emotional advantages- it enables individuals to work
through difficult work or personal situations that can promote healing and
growth.
Offers opportunities to increase empathy for others- individuals can address
social issues and enhance their understanding of our society and world.
Provides a way to practical way to understand books/articles- writing
creates a format to regularly examine reading materials and improve our
ability to comprehend and recall knowledge.
The Metaphysical Dimension of Journal Writing
Philosophy of life- your thoughts and ideas are valued and capable of making
a
positive difference in our world.
Affirms our sense of personal control- writing is a powerful form of
personal
expression that reminds individuals of being self-directed and purposeful in
their personal and professional life.
Highlights personal experiences- journal writing stresses individual
interactions
with our world that involve a host of diverse experiences.
The Purpose of Journal Writing (JW)
1. JW provides an accurate narrative of your personal & professional
growth.
2. JW is a reflective tool that reveals your interpretation of life events.
3. JW requires critical thinking skills to be engaged in
understanding/interpreting:
a.. organizations
b.. management
c.. leadership styles
Journal Entries
Sample format to identify and describe meaningful events:
a.. date, time, place & categorize
b.. detailed incident description
c.. general conclusions about your role (satisfied or unsatisfied)
d.. overall reaction (feelings, judgments, etc.)
e.. behaviors to reinforce
f.. behaviors to change
g.. attitudes and habits that need to be changed
h.. new goals (personal & professional)
Log Entry
1. Brief observations of events.
2. Literature log involves learners writing their responses to their
readings.
3. Critical reflection involved in reading articles and books.
Reflection Entry
1. Feelings about an event.
2. It is an opportunity to raise questions (what, why & how) and pursue
alternative views.
3. Create "what if" scenarios.
4. Evaluate consequences.
Theoretical Entry
1. Research entries into your topic.
2. The focus is on making observations on readings and events that are
related to your
research topic.
3. A practical way to personalize the research process by reflecting and
refining on the
researcher's role (Janesick, 1999).
4. The journal provides a place to propose theories, consider solutions or
explanations to problems.
5. Collect information that helps anticipate potential difficulties in the
research project
(Zacharias, 1991).
Insight Entries
1. Reflections on yourself and your leadership experiences.
2. Cultivate personal examination of your leadership style.
3. Learn to acquire refined insights into your leadership by asking yourself
questions:
a.. What type of leader am I?
b.. What motivates to succeed?
c.. Under what work environment am I most effective?
d.. What are obstacles to my success?
e.. What type of support do I need?
f.. What are relevant ways that I can assist others to be successful?
Creative Entry
1. Reflections that are "out of the box" type of thinking.
2. Use your imagination to think to look beyond the obvious (ex. Star Trek).
3. Critical reflection that fosters new ideas.
Overcoming Writer's Block
1. Authors occasionally experience a time where they lack ideas and they
draw a blank.
2. It is wise to realize that you are not alone and take a healthy
perspective on problem.
3. Strategies to jump-start your journal writing process.
a.. Establish a writing routine that creates a specific time and place to
write and encourages daily practice.
b.. If you already have a writing schedule vary it such as write at night
instead of the morning.
c.. Read books and articles in your research area with renewed sensitivity
because it can promote new ideas.
d.. Write a letter or poem that expresses your thoughts.
e.. Exercise or listen to music to help energize your creativity (Skinner
& Policoff 1994).
Assignment
1. Determine 3-5 short term goals
2. Determine 3-5 long term goals
References
Fulwiler, T. (1982). The personal connection: Journal writing across the
curriculum. In T. Fulwiler & A. Young (Eds.), Language connections: writing
and reading across the curriculum (pp. 15-32). Urbana: National Council of
Teachers of English.
Janesick, V. J. (1999). A journal about journal writing as a qualitative
research technique: History, issues, and reflections. Qualitative Inquiry,
5 (4), 505-525.
Skinner, J. & Policoff, S. P. (1994). Writer's block-and what to do about
it. Writer, (107 (11), 21-24.
Zacharias, M. E. (1991). The relationship between journal writing in
education and thinking processes what educators say. Education, 112 (2),
265-270.
Learning Leadership Journal
DOC 791OR Session 2
Review and Highlights of Session 1
a.. Journal benefits & challenges
b.. Journal entries
Personal Leadership Agenda
a.. Ask yourself this question, what behaviors or attitudes do you wish to
change?
a.. What barriers do you face in making meaningful changes?
a.. What support can you rely upon to help you make these changes?
Goals
a.. It is important that our goals affirm our personal and professional
values.
The Seven Cs of Success (Morris, 1994)
1. We need a clear conception of what we want, a vivid vision, a goal or set
of goals powerfully imagined.
2. We need a strong confidence that we can attain our goals. It is vital to
cultivate a positive attitude by acquiring good mental habits (ex. our
attitudes reflect personal choices). For instance, effective individuals who
reach their potential focus their attention mainly on their strengths and
not their weaknesses (Maxwell, 1999).
3. We need a focused concentration on what it takes to reach our goal.
4. We need a stubborn consistency in pursuing our vision, a determined
persistence in thought and action.
5. We need emotional commitment to the importance of what we're doing, and
to the people with whom we're doing it.
How can you improve your level of commitment?
· Measure your commitment by examining how much time & energy that
you devote to something that you consider important in your life. Do your
activities support your goals?
· Understand what goals are worthy of great personal sacrifices.
· Share your goals with others to help you become more dedicated to
completing a project (ex. Thomas Edison used to call press conferences when
he had a good idea for a new invention). (Maxwell, 1999).
6. We need a good character to guide us and keep us on a proper course.
It takes courage to be willing to take risks that challenge your abilities
and personal academic experiences. It takes discernment to understand your
strengths, build upon your previous successes and increase your educational
and career opportunities. In fact, Maxwell (1999) relates, "one
discernment-driven decision can change the entire course of your destiny (p.
50)."
7. We need a capacity to enjoy the process along the way.
Quotations About Writers
"Because he shakes hands with peoples hearts"
Lord Beaverbrook (1879-1964) relating why a writer was paid so much.
"He was imperfect, unfinished, inartistic; he was worse than provincial - he
was parochial."
Henry James (1843-1916) sharing his thoughts on Thoreau.
"Whatever Wells writes is not only alive, but kicking."
Henry James referring to H.G. Wells
Short Term Goals
· What can you accomplish immediately?
· What can you accomplish within the next two weeks?
Long Term Goals
· Desirable - It must be something that you really want to happen.
· Conceivable -- It must be something that you can express in words.
· Achievable - It must be realistic but it can be quite lofty in
nature.
· Measurable -It must be tied to a timeline and specific to identify
level of success.
Ten Traits of Successful Leaders (Maxwell 1997)
"But success landmarks are internal, not external. They mark changes in
you -in your thinking and attitudes-that are reflected outwardly in how you
act (Maxwell 1997, p. 145)."
1. Choose a life dedicated to growth.
2. Make a deliberate choice to start growing today.
3. Be teachable
4. Focus on self-development of your potential.
5. Have a healthy dissatisfaction with current accomplishments.
6. Be a life long learner.
7. Live a life that is concentrated on a few major themes.
8. Develop a growth plan to meet short and long term goals.
9. Be willing to pay the price for taking risks and making changes in
your life.
10. Apply what you have learned and inspire others to become successful
leaders.
References
Maxwell, J. (1999). The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader. Nashville,
TN: Thomas Nelson.
Maxwell, J. (1997). The success journey: The process of living your dreams.
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Morris, T. (1994). True Success: A new philosophy of excellence. New York:
G. P. Putnam's Sons (p. 286).
Copyright Brent Muirhead D.Min., Ph.D.
Brent Muirhead D.Min., Ph.D.
Area Chair, MAED Curriculum & Technology
University of Phoenix Online
bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu
770-751-1783 (EST)
---------------------------------------------------------
List address to send message to everyone:
ifets-discussion@catfish.valdosta.edu
Details of current discussion: http://ifets.ieee.org/discussions/discuss.html
Forum website: http://ifets.ieee.org/
Forum's contact person: kinshuk@massey.ac.nz
Info on Join/Leave List: http://ifets.ieee.org/maillist.html
---------------------------------------------------------
This archive was generated by hypermail 2a24 : Wed 09 Oct 2002 - 14:35:04 MEST