Reflecting on Practice: Using Learning Journals in
Higher and Continuing Education

Zaidoon Almassad
Writing 7000
Argosy University
Marilyn Malarz, Ph. D.
January 17, 2014

The propose for writing this paper is to critique the article “reflecting on practice: using journals in higher and continuing education”. The study was presented by Columbia University's Computer Technology program in Continuing Education. The author of this article is Arthur M. Langer and it was published in 2002 in Columbian University. My critique based on the five elements which are research question and problems, literature review, methodology, results and findings, discussion. After I read entire article carefully I identified how the article was organized. What author’s thought patterns, his way of thinking, evaluated Strengths and Weaknesses, how can findings be used in practice?

This article explained that students should use journals in their studies for their researches.
The purpose of this study was to describe the use of learning journals as vehicles for encouraging critical reflection among non-traditional students and to compare variances with studies among traditional students. An objective of the study was to understand how students in a technical computer class reacted to the requirements for learning journals. Qualitative method focused on whether learning journals show to be an effective teaching tool in science-based, adult learning. The purpose of this article critique is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses points for the components of the Langer’ article Langer (2002). Research Question, Conceptual Foundation, Methodology—data collection and data analysis section, Findings and Discussion.

Research Question:

The research question of the study Langer (2002) was “how using journals for education has impacted the process of learning of older students on the latter category and how it has impacted other compared to that former category of the students”. The research question should be clear and basic for example, in higher education comparing between students who are using the libraries and who were not using it in their learning method. What is the impact of research libraries on the students’ education? The question should give a clear picture about the problem.
Conceptual Foundation:
The article supported the importance of research question by using several references which can be considered as strength points of the article. The article covered many types of learning journals but did not provide a clear definition of critical reflection.
Methodology—data collection and data analysis
Langer (2002) used a two part methodology involving random sampling of a non-traditional technology class. It was required for the course to submit a weekly learning journal from each student during the fifteen week course. The study included a selective number of journals that was received from three following semesters of the same class. Each class contained over hundred students. And the second part is an interview of selected students who completed the course to be interviewed six months after completing the course to answer the questions of the interview.
The sample chosen for this study was a relatively small size and the scope is limited for doing this research. The methodology was explained in my opinion can be considered as a weakness.
Findings
(Langer) 2002 found that non-traditional students are more skeptical than traditional students about using learning journals and more likely to use them as study tools. It is impossible that the small scope of the limited location of this study accept this result to be general, this can be considered as a weakness.
Discussion
Even the researcher matched his research to previous researchers and supports his theory that is being tested, but he did not mention any of his possible limitations in his research, so the validity of this study was not clear.
I hope to create studies that stand up to future examination and allow for others to test the the arguments presented.

Conclusion

I learned several things firstly, the value of the topic of learning journals in depth analysis and review, secondly the importance of explaining and justifying the scope of the study being presented. Lastly, how can I critique another author’s article and determine the strength and weakness between the research elements.
References
Langer, A. M. (2002). Reflecting on practice: Using learning journals in higher and continuing education. Teaching in Higher Education, 7(3), 337-351.