Thank you all very much! I read through the suggestions and worked with our Student Success Coordinator to make a rubric not just for my online classes but also our brick-and-mortar students!
In addition, Pinnacle Career Institute-Lawrence started a Friday tutoring session that is open to all students (online & B/M) that includes free tutoring help in Sentence Structure, Writing, Grammar usage, and basic Student Success strategies along with tutoring in our medical-specific courses! So far, turnout has been great and I've even had a few of my online students show up for help!
I enjoyed your ideas and put them to good use! I'm sure that I will still have those student that don't want to put the effort in, but hopefully they will be fewer now. I'm going to 'raise the bar' of expectation for writing and make sure that we are all working from the same source (rubric).
Thanks again!
Wendy
Those are terrific suggestions. I very strongly agree with your philosophy about every instructor, regardless of subject matter, needing to help students improve their writing. As you point out based on your experience in yoru MBA program, writing is a skill that needs to be continually developed and we are providing our students a wonderful learning opportunity by providing clear feedback to help them improve their writing. Thanks for your very helpful response Matthew.
Hello,
One of the strategies that I use is provide students with two identical papers, once with grammatical errors and one that has been corrected. I use items that students typically error on, like using first person, passive voice, comma usage, improper semi-colon usage, ending sentences with prepositions. I am an accounting instructor and I explain to my students that even though this is not an English class the more their writing skills improve, they will also become better public speakers. I can speak from experience on this. I was a horrible writer until I completed my MBA, and not only did I begin to write better, but I also spoke better. I encourage students to also read their papers backwards. Take one sentence at a time and start from the end. This way they are not focused on content, rather the mechanics of their writing. I tend to get involved more and more with a student if I do not see an improvement with each writing they submit. In many cases students do not read their feedback if they are content with their grade, however, they do read their email, and I send a message and expect a response. Unless you have a student who truly does not care, you will see an improvement. I ask questions that require them to answer me back.
Hope these help.
Matthew Fowler
Great examples Elaine. Creating a rubric and sharing it with students when you give the assignment is a great way to communicate to students your expectations. The suggestion of providing real world examples is another good idea. I also emphasize to students that they need to write like they would on the job and that it is important that their writing is always professional.
Dear Dr. Ernst:
One way you can get across that grammar is important is creating a rubric and allowing the students to see the rubric. If you include grammar as one of the elements that they will lose points on, then they will realize that it is important. Or, if you have chats with your students, you may want to use some "real" world examples. One example could be a resume and/or a cover letter. Ask them, if it is ok to use bad grammar or slang on either of these two documents. Most students will tell you no. They "might" see the connection at that point.
Elaine Swallow
That is an interesting idea Stephanie. Have you tried something similar in one of your online classes?
How about posting a well written paper that demonstrates goog grammar use etc. Point out the aspects of the paper that make it good so that students will know what your expectations are.
If you haven't been able to get the message across with feedback on the postings nor deducting points, I would attempt to contact the student by phone. Explaining what you are looking for in the postings in person might be helpful. Does anyone else have other suggestions?
