Remember Anything

Often, for many different reasons, students forget the lessons taught to them. As a teacher, you might be frustrated with it simply because it affects student performance, not to mention the effect it has on class morale. Fortunately, there are learning logs!

Simply put, learning logs are the short, sweet, and simple method that allows students to combine learning content and knowledge processes. The rationale behind it is that students learn more from writing on their own.

Applications
Learning logs can be applied to virtually all course subjects since they are just simple summaries of lessons learned, questions, and points emphasized, to name a few possible contents. As the teacher, you must set down basic guidelines that will streamline the contents written depending on the directions taken in the specific course subjects.
For example, in math subjects, the application of learning logs can include the hows and whys of solving a specific math problem, maybe with worded explanations on the side. In history, it can take the form of first-person accounts of the what, when, where, how, and why of historical events or as short dialogues between students and historical figures. In science, it can be about the processes learned during the class together with questions formed and connections made in relation to the lesson.
However, for learning logs to be maximized, students must write them down in a focused, factual way and at a fast pace. This is achieved by setting aside a few minutes of the class time to writing down the day’s learning logs. Take note that this activity can also be done on a weekly basis.

Benefits
Just like portfolios and journals, learning logs serve an archival purpose for both parties in the educational process. For students, it provides a way to summarize the lessons learned during the school year without plowing through voluminous notes. For teachers, it allows for better assessment of the student’s performance.
Obviously, learning logs enhance the learning process. Due to the fact that students write freely although in a factual and impersonal way, the lessons learned are better embedded in the brain. After all, they did write on their own accord from their own minds!
Also, learning logs strengthen the exchange of ideas between parents and students as well as teachers and students. In more ways than one, learning logs become the vehicles by which parents can get more involved in their children’s education. And let’s face it—this is the hardest goal for any teacher to achieve.

Contents
Depending on the course subjects and your basic guidelines for learning logs, your students can write observations and questions, lessons learned and lectures heard, and even lists of things to do. However, you can assist the students to make more thoughtful, more insightful, and more factual entries mainly by asking questions such as:
* What were the lessons learned today?
* What interesting things happened?
* What questions do you still have about the lesson?
* What connections were made with past lessons and what can be done to reinforce learning?
When used appropriately, learning logs can be a fabulous learning tool for students, teachers, and parents alike. The most important thing is that you encourage your students to adopt learning logs instead of forcing them to do so.

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