Preservice Science Teachers' Opinions About Journal Writing

Abstract

     To explore opinions about journal writing, 48 preservice science teachers were asked to complete the Opinions about Journal Writing Questionnaire. The data revealed that the participants' opinions about purposes of journal writing and their appreciation of journal writing were related to their opinions about advantages of journal writing. The participants expressed positive attitudes toward journal writing because they gained more understanding about journal writing and realized its importance, and appreciated the instructor's feedback. At the end of the semester, nearly all participants supported the integration of a journal writing activity in the courses they attended. Also, they indicated various weaknesses and obstacles of journal writing. Factors potentially influenced the journal writing process were understanding about journal writing, awareness of importance of journal writing, and feedback from an instructor.