CW2001 Program - Computers and Writing

Friday
5:15 — 6:30 Session E.7
Insight from a Pilot:
Close Calls, Turbulence, and Smooth Landings in a
Computer-Mediated Freshman Composition Curriculum
RB 355
Stuart Barbier, moderator
Stuart Barbier
I explore some of what our team has learned about the limitations
and benefits of technology-assisted writing instruction. My discussion
includes the pilot year’s retention data, and an overview of some
assessment tools he and the team developed. My application of the
curriculum to the setting of an off-campus satellite center reveals some
aspects of the significance of setting for a pilot.
Elaine Karls
This presentation tells the story (in anecdote, data, visuals, and student
writing) of our first year of implementing Interactive English in targeted
sections of English 111-A, our five–credit college composition course
for writers in need of extra support. The presentation focuses on our
centeredness on teacher research approaches by our faculty team
during the phase-in year of the pilot. It includes some preliminary
retention and success information, and analyzes “success” in terms
of our stated learning outcomes for the course.
Jeff VandeZande
My examination of the multiple roles of new faculty member, teacher,
researcher, and composition instructor shifting from traditional to
computer-mediated sections of the same course shows the demands
and flexibility required of instructional staff. My presentation includes
curricular extensions I developed to support the multi-media instruction
provided by the curriculum, and I examine the alternate pedagogies I
created as a stop-gap measure for the inevitable technology glitches.
66 Computers & Writing 2001