Introduction to Writing Studies

Introduction to Writing Studies

( 12:49 PM ) Kevin
The Spring 2003 semester is over, but a new group of students will take over this space in Spring 2004. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments about the class, leave me a note. Questions or comments #

( 7:40 PM ) Chris
I decided to provide a "fun" blog for the end of the semester. If you want to learn more about hackers or even "hacking", you should read or subscribe to "2600". I believe one of my old roommates read this magazine, or one like it. Anyways, "2600"also has a website that looks like a Discussion Board, but is actually a list of links to all the stories they cover. What makes the magazine "bloggish" is that the articles are generally written by the readers.

What I found interesting is what "Super Fast Computer" (a blog where I initially found the link) had to say about hackers:
"As the editors of 2600 are quick to point out, the media is always exploiting the term "hacker". The original meaning of the word was simply to describe
someone that approaches computers with an insatiable curiosity.
A hacker is that special person who will spend extra time to find a way. Most people are content to use computers for daily applications: send a few emails, type
a document, balance a spreadsheet. A hacker does all of these things, but also seeks to understand how they are possible, what makes them work, and how
to get around the limitations of the hardware and the software."

That sight also has a link to an interesting hacker site, "Hippie's from Hell". I just let you guys explore now.......... #

      ( 8:43 AM ) Kevin
Just found an interesting program, UPS's Workplace and Family Literacy Programs. Has some good facts and figures you might be able to use; could be identified, along with the "Time to Read" program, as an example of corporate partners NDSU can seek out. #

      ( 8:27 AM ) Mamie
At Kevin's suggestion, here's the link to my website #

      ( 7:46 AM ) Kevin
Adam, and maybe others. "Incentive" does not have to = reward, and maybe the education itself will be sufficient incentive for students to be there, but I don't think you can assume the students will be willing participants. In other words, we as a class have done the research that shows good interest on the part of liberal arts and english ed students, but we haven't done the research to find out if students in FM will be interested. As someone who will be trying to make this program go, I want to know what the level of interest is, and what I have to do to get students into a community literacy program (what incentives, or perhpas accommodations, do I need to offer?).

Kris's interview identifies some need and interest, but it also raises the question--what is feasible for NDSU students to do when ELL programs already exist in Fargo? #

( 7:21 AM ) Adam
That was one of the questions I had, I guess. In my section, you said that if college volunteers got credit, that was their incentive, but I needed incentive for the students involved in the program to learn. I guess what I wondered was, isn't the education their incentive? I mean, it's not like a lot of kids think that education is an incentive, but perhaps the ones who are really struggling are the ones we'll keep in the program, if we can help at all. Is that not enough? Should we give them candy for doing well? :) #

( 7:33 AM ) Kevin
If any groups need to or want to make the argument that service learning will have benefits for students, check out this article that reports on a survey of students 9 years after completing their undergraduate education. The results seem to be positive for both cognitive development and social engagement. #

( 9:12 PM ) Kevin
Jamie, you had better make a link to your site! #

( 5:48 PM ) Mamie
If anyone is interested, I started a new blog about greeting cards (I know that's not everybody's thing) and welcome all of you to check it out. Instead of inviting everyone, just let me know if you're interested in it and I'll invite you. Don't feel obligated to by letting that Midwestern politeness seep into your judgement. :o) #

( 7:01 AM ) Kevin
Check out the Writing Commission website as a follow-up to Britt's posting. Their report, available as pdf file, has relevant information and would serve as an interesting model for your own feasibility report. #

( 9:04 PM ) Erik
Hey everybody,

This is...the guys i guess...

just giving some more info on our surveys, not sure exactly what we re
looking for here exactly so we'll just throw some stuff out there,

there were only 9 total surveys

7 females level of commitment high with 5 high and 2 in the middle,

2 males: level of commitment ahh, there's only 2 of them and one says
no the other maybe...

by major:
3 English 2 yes 1 maybe
4 english ed: 4 yes
1 mass com no (for time conflict but likes the idea)
1 elementary ed: 1 maybe

by handwriting:
5 Pretty handwriting: 3 yes, 2 maybe
4 bad handwriting: 3 yes 1 no

so apparently, we shouldn't bother with the guys, only females, and
mass comm majors are right out, but we might be able to count on a few
elementary ed people, english ed people get a big thumbs up, and
liberal arts english majors will spend more time talking about doing
anything than actually getting off their butts, so lets just pretend
like they count for they're (my) sake ok? and oh ya, people with nice
hand writing are more wishy washy, while people with bad handwriting
are to the point one way or the other...does anyone else have a
headache? :-)

anyways, i hope this breakdown helps a bit more, pls let us know if
there is anything else we can do...

see ya on wednesday

the guys #

( 8:50 PM ) Kevin
Hey, everyone. I haven't been very active over on my official, very own, TeachingBlog, but I have just added a new entry that is definitely worth checking out (Service Learning in Writing Courses), and I have added a new feature: all the Intro to Writing Studies entries can be viewed in one easy file/screen (although it has a few interlopers). #

This community weblog supports ''Introduction to Writing Studies,'' a course in the English Department at North Dakota State University.