Re: on-line writing classes

[ROBERTSC@ipfw.edu (Roberts,Carol)]

Colleen,
I'll forward your message to the person at Indiana U.-Purdue U. Ft Wayne
(IPFW) who's teaching a fyc class online for the first time this semester.
Our writing center is just beginning online consultations with her students,
so I'd be interested in hearing other people's stories about online
consulting (we're too new to have much to comment on yet).

How does your one-credit class in the writing center work?  I'd like to hear
from you and anyone else who's doing something similar--offering fyc credit
for writing center work.  Here's the scenario we're brainstorming for next
fall: students with writing placement scores below a certain level and whose
classes have been grouped together in a Freshman Advantage Block (FAB--a
university retention initiative) would receive an invitation inviting them
to sign up for a wonderful opportunity: earning an extra fyc credit through
a writing center component (4 credits instead of 3).  Students would decide
whether they want to take advantage of this option--and we'd provide in
their invitation letter the benefits of the option, as well as some
contextual information regarding their placement scores.  (Currently, those
who place into the basic writing class at IPFW get no credit towards
graduation.)

Has anyone tried this or something similar?  One problem I can't resolve is
giving credit for work with non-degreed writing consultants.  We have a
terrific staff but they're a mix of undergrads, grads, and faculty, and I'd
prefer not to limit this opportunity to grad students and faculty alone.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's tried or is thinking of
trying any of the above.  Thanks!

Carol Roberts
The Writing Center
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne



At 11:48 AM 10/4/99 -0600, you wrote:
>We have a one credit class in our writing center which is intended to
>support fyc students who need extra help, and we are talking about
>trying one section as an on-line class.  Is anyone out there teaching a
>writing class on the web?  How are your on-line writing classes set up,
>and what successes and concerns do you have?  Can you suggest some URLs
>with good examples of on-line writing instruction?
>
>You can respond to me off list.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Colleen Lynch
>Santa Fe Community College
>
>