Re: Required WC appointment

["Jacob Blumner" <jblumner@stark.kent.edu>]

Neal,

It sounds like you have two issues your addressing in your post.  One 
is the semi-requirement-almost-extra-credit-like writing center 
visit.  That does raise it's own problems.  The second is the 
instructor's lack of clear goals for the assignment.  When the two 
are combined, it sounds like the students are effectively _forced_ to 
go to the writing center because of the problems with the assignment. 
 In essence, it is like giving every student extra-credit (by 
extending the deadline), but because of the assignment, it has become 
 a requirement to complete the essay.

In my view, that is the worst kind of required writing center visit.  
It puts students and tutors in a bad position and doens't provide the 
instructor with the opportunity for learning intended.

I agree that  "requiring" the instructor to visit the writing center 
would benefit everyone.

-30-

j