Conference Posting

XXII: “Writing for Others: Others Writing”

Calculating the Radius From the Centre:

A Research Works-in-Progress Session about the

Circumference of Canadian Writing Centres

C = pr² g r = √ (c/p)

Where:

C = Circumference, or centre boundaries

p = pi, or value of programs

r = radius, or impact on student writing across campus

Research Abstract:

Canadian university writing centres operate as separate entities, with very little, if any, communication between centres. There exists only limited data on how Canadian university writing centre programs function within academia. A Canadian perspective on writing centre scholarship is needed to add depth to the body of knowledge that now exists.

From surveys and interviews with key personnel, a comparison of quantitative and qualitative results will be analyzed to determine differences between programming and perceived measures of success of other university writing centres. I will collect centres’ best-practises in programming and procedures designed to increase that level of success. Research findings will be shared with other Canadian university writing centres.

This Research Works-in-Progress session is an opportunity for writing centre administrators, instructors, tutors, and university faculty to meet and discuss the issues pertaining to the operation and function of centre programming.

Focus Group Discussion / Question period

w What is your role in developing students’ writing skills?

w How would you characterize writing centres’ positions on campus?

w What will it take to improve these positions?

w What issues do writing centres directors face?

w What issues do writing centre instructors face?

w What solutions work?

Inkshed portion:

@ “How do I get from here to there?

o What place does the writing centre on my campus hold?

o Securing a hold on the Centre

@ “What lengths do we go for our students?”

o Your role in teaching writing to learners

o “What did you really mean to say when you wrote that?”

o “Just keep talking, I’ll write down what you say”

Focus Group Questions

(also posted to the Conference Website)

XXII: “Writing for Others: Others Writing”

Calculating the Radius From the Centre:

A Research Works-in-Progress Session about the

Circumference of Canadian Writing Centres

Focus Group Discussion / Question period

1. What is your role in developing students’ writing skills?

2. a) How would you characterize writing centres’ positions on campus?

b) What will it take to improve these positions?

3. a) What issues do writing centre directors face?

b) What issues do writing centre instructors face?

4. What solutions work?

I consent o do not consent o

to having my responses included with data collected by Wendy Kraglund-Gauthier

for the purpose of her Master of Adult Education thesis.

Inkshed portion:

Focus Group Questions

(also posted to the Conference Website)

@ “How do I get from here to there?

o What place does the writing centre on my campus hold?

o Securing a hold on the Centre

@ “What lengths do we go for our students?”

o Your role in teaching writing to learners

o “What did you really mean to say when you wrote that?”

o “Just keep talking, I’ll write down what you say”

I consent o do not consent o

to having my responses included with data collected by Wendy Kraglund-Gauthier

for the purpose of her Master of Adult Education thesis.