 |
 |
Hi all. My 2c worth....Well, I no longer direct the Computer-Assisted Writing Centre, but a service we started 10 years ago is still going strong--etutoring. We have two *experienced* writing instructors (experienced in both using computers and in giving feedback) who each work 10 hours a week at home (on average; busy times it was more like 25 hours a week) , giving feedback to students on their electornically transmitted essays (on any topic--like the model of the Writing Workshop)--either through straight ascii email, attachments, or on FirstCLass (our conferencing system). They take the text and add their comments (usually capped). There is no fancy software requirement (see Cathy's comments below); money is spent on a good computer and fast modem for them and on paying them for their expertise. It takes some time to figure out what works as feedback on-line and what doesn't. I remember doing some late at night-- it certainly focuses the mind on the task! The tutors turned papers back within 36 hours; since they could work at home, this was the trade-off to their promptness. How this would work with peer tutoring I don't know. Mary-Louise On Thu, 13 May 1999 14:31:40 -0700 [log in to unmask] (C Schryer) wrote: >Hi Phillipa, I have been looking into this issue and will be doing some >presenting at CATTW on three software packages that facilitate on-line >commentary on student papers: Common space, Web Review and the Comment >features in Word. > >I have also just heard of a new product that might facilitate the >development of on-line products--Web Weaver. It sounds interesting and >exciting because it is HTML compatible. > >YOu should also contact Dave Goodwin--he is working with a CD compatible >system that is the equivalent of Web Weaver. > >If you get into the software let me know and we can exchange notes as I aim >to play around with it this summer to see what it can do. >-----Original Message----- >From: Philippa Spoel <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >Date: May 13, 1999 8:33 AM >Subject: Advice on technology, please > > >>Hello, >> >>I wonder whether members of CASLL would be able to help me out with >>suggestions for a proposal I have to write in the next week. It's a >>proposal about how we can integrate technology into our Centre for >>Academic Writing. Primarily, I'm interested in ideas about >>computer-assisted writing support. We have a peer-tutoring program that >>is extremely popular with students, but up until now we have functioned >>without any kind of computer support for this service. Our tutors >>provide 50 minute individual consultations. As well, we offer a variety >>of in-class and out-of-class workshops for students and for faculty. >> >>We aren't interested in technology that will do away with people, but >>rather ways that we can enhance what we already do. In particular, we'd >>like to set something up for distance writing support (that is, for >>students off campus). >> >>I have no idea what if anything we will get from this proposal, but I >>want to "think big" for now. I'd love to know what CASLL members would >>ask for if you could have whatever you wanted for this kind of pedagogy. >> >>thank you! >> >>Philippa >>