Scenario #5: Jeff's Visual Representation of a Period in American History
(Sub-section of Double Entry Journals and Learning Logs)
Jeff's assignment is to plan and produce a visual representation of a specific period in American history. The presentation can be a timeline, a poster, a web, or any other visual method of communicating this period of time. Jeff must also keep a learning log or daily record of the work completed and explain what he learned. He must discuss the decisions he makes and evaluate the success or failure of these choices.
One entry in Jeff's learning log is especially revealing: "My project is not working out. In order to get a project to turn in, I have given up hope of doing the train timeline (Jeff's original idea). I made a mad dash to the store in order to buy poster board. I'm going to make a poster with grouped areas. I am discouraged that this isn't working out." From this and previous entries, it is clear that Jeff has a problem with time management. My teaching partner writes in Jeff's log: "What time management strategies can you use in the future to insure you accomplish your goals? How can you better organize your time? For the next long range assignment, try breaking your project into steps and develop a timeline with tentative dates for the completion of each task."
The learning log is more than a method for holding students accountable when they are given class time to work on projects. For students, it is a vehicle for assessing their personal progress. During future long-range assignments, we will have Jeff create a timeline for his project and have him monitor his progress by writing periodic self-evaluations in his learning log. We, in turn, will assess his time management skills by monitoring his learning log and intervening when he needs our assistance.