Although reflection plays an important role in personal learning, it is not practiced often in todays demanding work environments. To individualize learning and enhance the relevance of the content, this journal assignment is offered as a teaching tool to tailor the content to the readers practice environment, professional experience, and learning needs. This journal exercise section provides a structured opportunity for reflecting on how the concepts discussed and the readings recommended in this book can be applied to circumstances and challenges in the work setting.

Readers may use the journal to reflect on an individual chapter or article or to synthesize content from a group of assigned readings that make up a lesson or module.

Part 1: Key Points to Remember

Depending on a readers experience and current circumstances, one topic may be particularly relevant to one reader, but the same concept may be repetitive or routine to another reader. This part of the template asks readers what lessons are important to them rather than instructing them to consider someone elses perspective.

Part 2: New Questions

Asking readers to list the questions that arise as a result of the readings emphasizes the importance of posing questions and helps develop critical thinking. Although readers, particularly students, may be accustomed to striving for the correct answers, this part of the journal is intended to encourage the practice of formulating good questions.

Part 3: Application

Part 3 encourages readers to think about how the content may be applied to their own work environment or professional practice. Sometimes, the content is relevant personally; a personal application is appropriate to include. The key is to be specific and concrete to solidify the understanding of the material and its practical uses.

Name:

Date:

Citation(s):

1. Key points to remember from this reading and my reason(s) for selecting these points:

2. This information has prompted the following questions:

3. How can I use the information in my professional practice, in my work setting, or for my own personal effectiveness?