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Scholthof wins teaching honor

portrait of Karen-Beth Scholthof

Karen-Beth Scholthof uses literature and art to teach students about the human cost of disease.

Science professor experiments with writing

Karen-Beth Scholthof, a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, has won the 2008 W Course Teaching Award for her work in the course, “Pathogens, the Environment, and Society.” The $3,000 award, presented to Scholthof last November, recognized her spirit of innovation and unwavering commitment to improving her students’ writing.

Students in her course learn not only about the science behind some of history’s most notorious epidemics, but also—through Scholthof’s use of relevant fiction and poetry—discover the human consequences of these outbreaks. (more…)

Faculty workshop covers group writing

Group writing projects will be the topic of a January UWC faculty workshop led by Nancy Small, an English department lecturer and veteran writing  instructor.

The workshop, entitled “We’re All in This Together: Tools for Supporting Group Writing Projects,” will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. on January 28 in Evans Library 204B. Lunch will be included. (more…)

Kim Quaile Hill earns teaching prize

portrait of Kim Hill

 

Kim Hill, winner of the 2007 W Course Award, says there are no golden rules in teaching writing.

Poli sci professor wants students to value writing

Kim Quaile Hill, a professor in the Department of Political Science, has won the 2007 W Course Teaching Award. The award is presented annually to a W course instructor who teaches writing with thoughtfulness and vigor.

Hill received the $3,000 prize for his work in POLS 209, Introduction to Political Science Research Methods, a required course for all majors in his department. Even before the advent of W courses, Hill, who has taught at Texas A&M since 1988, incorporated frequent writing assignments into his courses. He stresses writing because he believes it helps his students learn. (more…)

UWC Welcomes Two New Administrators

portrait of Steve Kaminczak

 

Assistant Director

Steve Kaminczak.

portrait of Stephanie Leary

 

Web Designer

Stephanie Leary.

The UWC is pleased to announce the addition of two key staff members: Steve Kaminczak has signed on as the UWC’s assistant director and Stephanie Leary is the writing center’s first full-time Web designer.

Kaminczak was previously the assistant director for the writing center at Sam Houston State University. At the UWC, he’ll have a variety of administrative duties, including overseeing the schedule, and he’ll work closely with consultants as a team leader. (more…)

Goss at home as UWC office manager

Margarette Goss

 

Margarette Goss.

Margarette Goss, senior office associate, saysworking with students is the best part of her job.

First impressions matter. That’s why the UWC is delighted that Margarette Goss has signed on as Senior Office Associate.

In that role Goss is often the first person clients see when they walk through the door, as well as the voice they hear when calling for an appointment. Her warm demeanor and confident efficiency put everyone at ease. (more…)

UWC debuts Write Away podcast on iTunes

The University Writing Center is showcasing a new podcast called “Write Away” that adds another tool through which instructors can get information and inspiration for teaching writing.

“Hearing other instructors’ experiences can be invaluable for brainstorming new teaching techniques,” said Executive Director Valerie Balester. “Podcasts are the perfect way to share those anecdotes.” (more…)

UWC to fund $3,000 award

The University Writing Center has created an award to recognize innovation and excellence in the teaching of a writing-intensive (W) course. The new University Writing Center Teaching Award is being funded for five years with one $3,000 award given annually.

According to Dr. Valerie Balester, Executive Director of the University Writing Center (UWC), the award acknowledges the work of faculty members teaching W courses.

“The W courses are meant not only to improve students’ writing abilities, but also to encourage them to think critically about topics central to their discipline,” Balester explains. “These courses truly enhance the quality of our students’ undergraduate education.” (more…)

Panel rethinks literacy

Symposium highlights views on writing, diversity

How does a university encourage high standards of academic literacy while embracing a diverse population of varied linguistic traditions?

That question was at the heart of the 2004 University Writing Center Symposium on Literacy. Held at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on October 8, the symposium marked the inauguration of Texas A&M’s new writing-intensive course requirement for undergraduates. The symposium was held as part of Literacy Across Cultures, a two-day celebration of literacy with presentations by both local and visiting scholars. (more…)

Writing and Technology

If you’re a faculty member with questions about how to use writing in your classes (or want advice about handling the paper load), take a cue from your students and look for help online. Your first stop?

portrait of Someone typing

 

The University Writing Center’s website: http://uwc.tamu.edu. There you’ll find not only general advice about writing, but also a wealth of suggestions for successfully incorporating writing into your classroom.

More specifically, if you access uwc.tamu.edu/faculty/ you’ll
discover pages of information aimed specifically at A&M faculty
members, including how to design a W course to meet the new university
requirements. There’s also a section on pedagogy, where you’ll find
perspectives on a wide-variety of classroom issues, such as how to:

d Incorporate more “low-stakes” writing practice, such as journals or mini-essays, into your courses;

d Handle writing in large-enrollment courses;

d Instruct your students to serve as peer reviewers for their classmates; and

d Teach the critical thinking skills that underlie all academic discourse.

Because
grading is such a thorny issue when it comes to writing assignments,
we’ve also included suggestions on how to respond more efficiently and
consistently to your students’ writing:
uwc.tamu.edu/faculty/pedagogy/respond/.

Also on the UWC’s
website are dozens of handouts

Faculty workshop on grammar slated for July

UWC offers training in response to faculty requests for advice, help

The UWC’s third annual summer faculty workshop will focus on teaching grammar and punctuation. Titled “What We Have in Comma: Trials and Tribulations of Teaching and Grading Grammar,” the workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 28 at the Bright Complex overlooking Kyle Field.

UWC Executive Director Valerie Balester selected grammar and punctuation as a topic in response to faculty interest. (more…)

Schaefer to join UWC in January

Candace Schaefer
Candace Schaefer comes to the University Writing Center from her post as assistant director of Instructional Technology Services at Texas A&M. The University Writing Center is pleased to announce that Candace Schaefer will become the UWC’s Associate Director Jan. 2.

Schaefer, formerly assistant director for Instructional Technology Services at Texas A&M, also worked for three years as the dean of distance education at Blinn College.

Schaefer is no stranger to the world of writers. She earned an M.A. in English from the University of Northern Colorado and has taught writing in several college settings. Currently a Ph.D. student in higher education administration, Schaefer is researching the faculty perspective on academic dishonesty in the classroom.

“The UWC’s mission is critical to the university,” Schaefer says. “I’m excited to come on board and share in the endeavor of improving writing across the curriculum.” (more…)

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