High School Writing Centers -Reply

[Kevin Davis <kdavis@mailclerk.ecok.edu>]

Ann,
Sorry we missed your earlier request.  It's very unlike this group to not have
something to say.

Most of us on this list work at the college level, which may explain some of our
hesitance to respond.   But we can try, as long as you know you'll need to
translate what we say to application at your setting.

Maybe you could tell us more about what you have in mind.  Who would staff this
center?  What kinds of activities do you see going on it?  When would the
students come?

One thing that stumps me is your immediate jump to talking about computers. 
Sure, most of our WCs have computers, but most of us started without them.  All
you *need* to open a writing center is a table and a few chairs, a dictionary, a
couple of good handbooks, a few pencils, a pad of paper, and some right-hearted
people.  So why do you see computers as such an immediate and necessary part? 
What do you imagine them doing?  Or, more accurately I guess, what do you see
the students doing on them?

kevin

>>> "Ann C. Pryor" <pryorac@ahsd.org> 10/04/99 07:31am >>>
This is a second attempt.  Perhaps I am on the wrong list, and one of you
can give me a clue about the right list.

I am the English Department Coordinator at Abington Heights High School in
Clarks Summit, PA.  We have a shoulder-to-shoulder or face-to-face writing
clinic in our high school.  I am interested in expanding the clinic into a
center where students may attend as individuals with writing problems or
where teachers may attend with classes.  I would like the writing center to
enhance a writing across the curriculum program.  We currently own only one
little PowerBook and one state of the art PC.  But I want to know what
software we should be considering, what hardware is needed to drive the
software, what room configuration works best.  Is there anyone out there who
can help us, or is there anyone out there who can direct me toward help.