"The observations are pointless"

Many times, teachers never read and/or comment on student observations (or in traditional assessment, journals). Thus, while many students enjoy the no-pressure writing that journals/observations afford, students often feel that the entries are pointless, since teachers do not read them.

By explaining the basic definition of 'observation,' what is required of an observation (limited to what is heard, read, or discovered), the function of the observations (to allow students to critically reflect and to engage them in thinking about the role of language in shaping perceptions), the collective value of the observations (that when taken together they provide a log of the student's reflections, critical perceptions, and changes), and that you will read and comment on their observations (see note 1), most students will be more inclined to make observations and to take them seriously because they are actually doing something quite challenging and new — reflecting on the class, class-related activities, and on themselves (their experiences, their changes) and receiving teacher feedback.

Note 1: Always tell students that you read the observations not to check up on them but to gain feedback and understanding and to offer suggestions, explanations, and support.