2/3 - Athenaeum at 1pm - From Basic Skills to Writing in the Disciplines: Case Studies of Student Writers

On February 3, 2010 at 1pm on the second floor of the WSU Library Professors Krase and Johnson will present From Basic Skills to Writing in the Disciplines: Case Studies of Student Writers.

Ethan Krase - Associate Professor, English Department
J Paul Johnson - Professor, English Department

Faculty, administration, and students generally agree that it is important for students to gain the ability to write effectively as part of their undergraduate education. However, while many of us can cite anecdotal evidence of the ways some students go about becoming better writers, it is often difficult to gain a comprehensive picture of the role WSU writing curricula play in students’ writing development.

This study employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative research to examine the ways that graduating seniors have transitioned from basic-skills to discipline-specific writing projects at WSU. Using results of the 2005-2006 University Studies Basic Skills: College Reading and Writing Assessment project as baseline data, in the spring of 2009 the presenters conducted case studies of twelve graduating seniors who had participated in the 2005-2006 study. The study charts those students’ writing instruction and experience as they completed their major course of study. Specific areas of inquiry include comparisons of students’ writing coursework, type and amount of feedback on writing, practices and attitudes towards writing, and assessment measures.