1. This may seem like a cop-out question, but I am really curious to know--having read TG for tomorrow, which strand do you prefer and why? Do you think any of the strands seem weaker than the others? If so, why?
2. Sommers talks about how student writers don't seem to be able to envision or make global revisions in their writing. My sense is that one of the main reasons for this is that the students write their drafts with a "predefined meaning" (83) that they do not question after the draft is 'done'. I was thinking about this in the context of our own composition classrooms, because one of our tasks is to help students understand writing as process and encourage them to think critically about their writing. Do you think, based on your experiences in classrooms before this or while interning now, our college composition classrooms successfully tackle this problem of "predefined meaning"? If so, what are some of the ways that we accomplish this well? If not, what are some ideas about how we can orient students into the process-of-discovery mindset?
Hi Esther,
ReplyDeleteI was more interested in Strand 2 because it caters to my interests and my preferred modes of expression. I think I'm better at teaching something when I have a strong investment in the subject matter. I require less self-motivation to become invested in the students' work as well. When I can sense an instructor has genuine interest in a subject matter, I'm more engaged as a student, regardless of the discipline. I don't think Strand 1's weaker but I'm not as enthusiastic about the project which makes grading a more stressful activity.
All the best,
Tom
Hi Esther - I don't think any strands are weaker than others but I think you gravitate towards what you can connect with or have an interest in personally. I am most interested in beginning with strand IV: How Facebook (and Other Online Communities) Teach us to Write, or a New Digital Literacy. I really think it is a personal preference and in choosing a strand that you can connect with brings a small comfort level to something that might be a new venture. I will probably venture outside of that strand once I had a couple semesters under my belt.
ReplyDeleteWhat I hear a lot in creative writing workshops is the reminder to not get too attached to a specific phrase, or for that matter goal. I think that is always a good thing to remind FYC students of as well. I think part of the reason its hard for them to revise is because they are attached to the work they already put it, and revision seems to negate all the effort they just put out to create the draft. If we can remind them of other ways they learn by redoing, or re working, that might help as well.
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