Introductory Journal Entry

Your journal will help you reflect on what you have learned from each of the readings, discussions, and assignments within each module. There will be suggested topics for your journal entries each week; however, you are free to explore your own topics as long as they relate to the course as a whole.  Your journal will help you build a relationship with the instructor, and to better understand yourself too.

You may approach your journal entries as you wish, and keep in mind there is no "right" or "wrong" way. The purpose of the learning journal is for you to reflect on something that interests you, or anything you have learned so far in this course. Most important, how you will use this information to improve your teaching practice and program planning.

Criteria for journals: 

• Evidence of connections to readings, thoughtful evaluation of course concepts and how they relate to your professional experience and practice.
• Reflective, consisting of well developed ideas – not just a descriptive summary of what you have learned.
• Submitted at the end of each module, in a timely manner, and at least one page in length.
• To be included in your final portfolio project, so it should be more of self-reflective learning activity than a sounding board.
• What have you learned from this experience?  

Your feedback of this course is VERY important to us, and we do appreciate any comments and suggestions you may have. Keep in mind that the Learning Journal assignment is not meant to be a forum for feedback or critiquing the course. There will be an opportunity for you to provide your feedback midway and at the end of the course.

For this week's journal entry, focus on these questions, and your expectations of the next few weeks:

• Why did you enroll in this course?  
• What are your program goals and objectives? 
• What challenges, if any, do you face in your present garden program?

Write out your  Journal Entry  in Word, save it in the following format, using your name to identify you as the writer. If I was saving a document for this assignment, I would call it:  Donna.Cooke_Intro_Journal.doc

Then upload the Word file in Moodle by the due date listed on the course schedule.

Congratulations on completing the Introductory Module!

If all your assignments are completed, move onto Module 1: The Foundations of Garden-based Learning