Instruction
KWL Journal Instructions
You will complete a “KWL” journal for each assigned unit/topic with two entries:
Entry 1: K & W
K= What do you know about this topic already?
W = What do you want to know about this topic?
Completed before you start readings for a new assigned topic, to prime your learning
Entry 2: L
L = What did you learn about this topic?
Completed after we finish a topic, to process & reflect on what you have learned
General guidelines for KWL Journals:
Write in complete sentences. Every sentence needs a subject and a verb!
Follow rules for standard English grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and syntax. Proofread your
work carefully. This is an opportunity to practice (and get feedback on) good, professional writing.
It is appropriate to write journal entries in the first person (e.g., “I believe...”), and to relate class material to your own personal ideas, feelings, experiences, and reactions. Self-reflection is an important MCH leadership skill. Share what you are comfortable with; Your journals are private and I will not share them with other students.
Citations: whenever you present, summarize, or describe facts or ideas based on other people’s work in your journal entries, you must credit (cite) them:
o Material from our class can be referenced informally – e.g. “As discussed in Tuesday’s lecture...”, or “In the assigned reading by Jones et al...”
o Material from any other sources must be cited using complete APA format, including in-text citations and a numbered full list of references at the end of your entry. Citation Fox is a great resource: https://apps.library.albany.edu/cfox/legacy/.
Any additional unit-specific instructions or prompts will be provided on Blackboard for each journal. For “K” entries:
Phrase K entries as statements summarizing what you already know about a topic. Usually I will ask you to list three statements.
Each statement should be approximately 1-2 sentences. Remember to write in complete sentences.
It's ok if you don't know much, or if your starting knowledge is not accurate. The purpose is for you to take
stock of your starting point for this topic. Accuracy is not a factor in grading the K entries.
For “W” entries:
Frame your W entries around questions - using words like “why”, “what”, or “how?”.
Relate questions to things you are curious about, puzzled by, or just interested in learning more about. 1
After stating your question, briefly explain (1-2 sentences) why you are interested in that question.
Be thoughtful about your questions. They can be relatively simple or more complex, but should genuinely
reflect things you want to learn. Don’t just write arbitrary questions that do not truly interest you.
“L” entries:
These are more extensive than your “K & W” entries. They are succinct but substantive discussions of what you have learned through our class session(s) and activities on this unit/topic.
Entries should be written in complete sentences, organized into paragraphs. Instructions for each unit will include guidelines for the length of your L entry.
L entries do not need to “match” your KW entries. They can address different aspects of the larger topic.
Do not simply re-state arbitrary facts from the class. Rather, write a thoughtful analysis that describes and reflects on how your knowledge and understanding of a topic have deepened. L entries should go beyond simply summarizing factual information to discussing and critically analyzing that information. For example, in your entry you may reflect on:
o why you believe this information matters for the health & well-being of MCH populations;
o how new information reinforces, elaborates, or conflicts with other information you have learned; o how things you learned may have changed your previous assumptions about a topic;
o how the information specific to this topic illustrates foundational MCH concepts or tools;
o how this may influence your own future professional development and practice; and/or,
o other thoughtful reflections specific to your learning.
Be thoughtful and authentic. I want to hear your voice, and see that you are thinking about the material, making connections across course materials, and applying foundational concepts to specific topics.
As the semester progresses, I am looking for your responses to become deeper and more analytic. I want you to make connections between new information and prior class lectures, readings, and materials.