Assessing Writing Skills
As an instructor in a diploma program at a career college, I find it very difficult to assign writing assignments. The demographic of the students in my classes is not the typical college-level student. Some can only read on a third grade level. Most can not spell and have no concept of grammar. Technology makes it worse. It is as though many students have forgotten how to write anything not in text-message format.Considering that the courses I teach are lab courses that have no relation to English, grammar, or writing in the course content, it is nearly impossible to incorporate writing skills into my already accelerated courses. While I believe that research and writing assignments are beneficial, I find it difficult to find assignments that my students can successfully present.
Susan,
I like this!!! So many times students do not see all that will be asked of them in a job!
Shelly Crider
This is a really good point! In the program I teach the students think writing is not involved. I have them write a paper on the second week of class. I always get asked why do they have to write a paper. Then I start listing all the situations in the career they are choosing that will include writing.
Chris,
There are times mine feels just like that too....mush!! My younger son just applied to college and my advice to him was to keep the basics in his head!
Shelly Crider
I also am in a situation that involves adult learners. As a technical college instructor I see the same issues with the quality of student. It is very hard to teach a basic skill in an advanced learning environment. The bulk of our writing is done on labs, I grade them for content not spelling or grammer. The computer and smart phone has taken out the need for the student to retain basic fundamentals. Our brains are beng transformed into technology adicted mush.
Betty,
I like having students look for errors too. This will give them a bigger awareness of common errors.
Shelly Crider
Albert,
Ahhhh......good point! Many students are in programs they do not think they will have to do a particular task, be it writing or speaking!
Shelly Crider
I also work at a career college and deal with the same issues. What I try to do is first focus on the content of their writing, and then I get them to start looking for errors. Many have the ideas but struggle putting them down correctly. By getting the ideas down first, the students get a sense of accomplishment and then understand the reasons for correct grammar, etc. Clarity in communication is important in written and oral communication. I explain that when we start checking their papers.
Like you I grade papers based on the skills we have covered in class, but I worry that I am doing my students a disservice. Many of my IT program students are in our program / career path because they think it does not require them to write.
Mark ,
Thank you for bringing up the accelerated programs as when a student enters these type of programs he/she needs to know what they are up against to achieve their goal.
Shelly Crider
Moira,
I am glad you use it as a learning opportunity. So many times we get busy and do not point out the opportunities.
Shelly Crider
I agree with so many of your points. When I tell people why college is important I stress written and oral communication skills as one of the three keys. In accelerated programs it can be very challenging to teach these to somebody who does not grasp them.
I was surprised that you also deal with the same issues, myself and fellow instructors deal with quarterly. We have several writing assignments every 12 weeks and it seems that we are constantly dealing with the same problems every quarter. We constantly see the text speak also, and I use it also as a learning opportunity regarding professionalism and language.
woody,
This is good to start off with a writing assignment so that you can see their base work. This will help with knowledge, and making sure they are turning in their own work.
Shelly Crider
Edward,
ahhhh......I like how you grade! This gives the students positive reinforcement!
Shelly Crider
For myself, I teach cosmetology, but I do a writing assignment the beginning of every class and it works wonderfully. It enabled me to see their ability to follow directions, identify problems, and assess areas that they struggled. Mind you a lot of the students did have a lot of grammatical errors, and I had five students who wrote their paper in "Text Language". But I was able to turn this into a teachable moment. I explained how employers are looking for professionals. And would an employer hire them when they are unable to present themselves in a professional manner whether it is through written communication, their attire, verbiage or body language. The assignment made the students research historical figures in cosmetology, so when we got to the history of cosmetology, the students actually helped me teach the class. Even though cosmetology is not a class that you would think of writing papers in, it is actually a viable assignment that can aid an instructor in assessment of the students, and aid the student by giving them prior knowledge of the subject.
I find that it helps to grade students based on a limited number of writing skills, each of which has been covered in class. For example, if I've taught the class to use APA citation, but I haven't covered conjugating verbs, I'll grade their papers based on their demonstrated proficiency with citation, but I won't deduct for improperly conjugated verbs.
You can therefore assign writing topics that are meant to test specific skills instead of the students' general writing abilities.
Cassandra,
Do you help them with their writing and English in discussion questions?
Shelly Crider
