If you missed the “using audio technology in the writing classroom” Tech Time, check out this resource about using podcasts in the writing classroom. And keep your eyes peeled for the first Writing Program Podcast Series recording coming soon!
Category Archives: Classroom Resources
Online Discussion Boards
A discussion board is a great way to maintain open lines of communication with your students. By providing a common space for students to ask questions, you’ll be able to give in-depth answers to each question rather than face the prospect of several e-mails all asking the same question. Additionally, most student’s aren’t quite sure what to ask – often, students receive important clarification from ongoing discussion which they would never seek out on their own.
Using Genre Studies to Develop Alternative Teaching Genres
This document began as a talk at the Genre 2012 Conference, which took place at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. This version of the talk argues that it’s critical for instructors in our “genre/CHAT” program to do their own “genre investigations” of the basic genres that shape and control classroom activity. Download Teachers Rethinking Teaching Genres
Investigating Genres
Here is another new document — this time it’s a basic handout that discusses the strategies authors can use to become “writing researchers” as they investigate genres in context. It’s designed as a handout for students. Instructors can use the handout as is, but they can also download the MSword file and adapt the handout for use in their classrooms.
Summit Review: Civility in and outside the Classroom
Dr. Ellison’s presentation on Civility in and outside the Classroom addressed issues concerning classroom management, appropriate classroom behavior, and what students and instructors can do to provide a civil atmosphere in the classroom. Dr. Ellison defined incivility as “any action that interferes with a harmonious and a cooperative learning atmosphere in the classroom.” She utilized a Power Point to highlight ways in which students perform incivility, including but not limited to annoyances, attacks on instructors psyche, “classroom terrorism,” and threats of violence. Dr. Ellison also provided the audience with an overview of the scholarship done on incivility in the classroom and went over research findings. During the course of the presentation, Dr. Ellison took questions and then as a group we discussed possible ways of handling uncivil behaviors. Dr. Ellison made suggestions on how we can maintain our authority while still being able to give students an active role in their own learning. The presentation received a great turnout and it seemed that everyone was finding the session valuable and enjoyable. Instructors were given the opportunity to discuss behavioral issues they encountered with their students and Dr. Ellison provided advice. She mentioned how important it is to have students contact the Dean of Students if they needed to miss classes for emergencies. She reassured us that as instructors we have a support system to help us deal with problems of incivility.
