class notes 9/30/09 The Idea of a Writing Center

perception of Writing Center
Students go to the writing center to get "errors" fixed
who goes to writing center
why they go there
what happens when they go there
a student is someone who is in need of an enlightment
writers go to writing center
what are readers expectations
the wrong expectations of students are that they have to fix there paper, teachers send struggling students, special
They go to become better writers. They go because they care about being good writers.
The coach watches and makes descisions about what to do.e
relationships between WC , tutor and teachers: It is the students reponblity to communicate with the teachers and don't second guess assignments. Writing Centers advocates its own pedagogy.

Blog # 5

For our second practice section, I coached Ryan on his writing. Ryan was the student who came to the writing center because his professor made him. When Ryan first entered the writing center, I had asked him to look at the assignment sheet and to read it carefully and thoroughly. Ryan had explained to me what he had written down. Ryan knew what he was talking about so I had him read me his response paper and found out that his summary of his paper was similar to what he has written down. Ryan was focused on his assignment and that is a good thing.
When I was the student and Ryan was the tutor I had learned a lot. Ryan had asked me questions like "Did I have the assignment sheet". I was able to pull up the assignment sheet online within a couple of minutes. It is easy to be able to have a computer in front of you because sometimes you need a computer to be able to edit and rearrange your work. Ryan had me read the paper out loud. After I read aloud I was able to see where I could give examples to support my ideas by focusing on the text itself. In order to do that Ryan had me do some free exercises that would encourage my writing. He stepped out of the room and had me write. When he came back into the room I was able to come up with a statement based on the text.
Being a writing center coach can be hard to adjust too at times. It can be hard to adjust two because the tutor has to be flexible and be understanding that sometimes students who come into the center are not going to feel like being there. Also, a tutor has to be able to use all of the different types of methods in the writing center. Storehouse Centers, Garret Center and Burkean Palor all display important methods based on his or her own style of writing.
I am learning how to become a more effective student and I am beginning to notice the type of writing style that I have. I would like more time working one on one with each other. I found it to be very helpful. When you read your paper out loud you are able to see where you could improve. I like when writing coaches guide you into the right direction without saying what your mistakes are.

Blog # 4

My experience as a tutor and student was exciting. I was eagered to see what both individuals were able to see what both the student and tutor could offer. When I was the tutor the student came in without a draft. Since the student came in without a draft, the student and the tutor had looked over what the assignment was about and then the student was able to come up with ideas. The student was off to a great start because even though he or she did not have a draft the student had some ideas that were brought forward. I had encouraged the student to elaborate more on some of the ideas that were mentioned. The student was able to find examples to support the main argument.
I feel that both the student and tutor talked equally because at the same time we as tutors and as students sometimes need feedback. I feel that my session went well. As a student, I learned that sometimes we as students need to interact more with the tutor to clarify information. Both the student and the tutor was focused on the assignment sheet which is important as well. I feel that the session did reflect my writing philosphy in various ways because the student had asked questions and was able to refer back to the text.

Blog #3

Welcome to the writing center. I hope you all are having a very productive semester. My name is Talisha Robinson. I will be your tutor during this current time of the semester. I hope you will enjoy your pursuit of the discipline and find it rewarding in many ways. Here are a few ways of succeeding in the writing center. First you should come to the writing center with an open mind knowing that we as tutors are here to assist you with your writing or help you prepare a draft for your assignment so that you are ready to write a whole paper. Here are a few suggestions:

• Do the assigned reading that is required for your paper. It is important to fully understand the writing assignment that has been assigned so that you will not go off topic and write about something that your professor does not approve of.
• Consider the context Approaching each text or assignment when writing, you should keep in mind the audience such as who you are writing for.
• Take your time Carefully look at your assignment and think about how you would want to accomplish your writing. If you rush to write your paper, then it may not turn out so well. Encourage your self to slow down and engage in the writing assignment by trying to relate the assignment to you life.
• Be prepared
• Ask questions It is always proper to ask for clarification of the meaning of something that has already been said
• Omit the unnecessary Include in your written work only what is related to your topic after the first draft.
• Write clearly and use concrete language
• A writer center should be full of resource aids such as a writing manual, a dictionary, a thesaurus, pencils, pens and etc...
• I believe that knowledge is stored in both the student and the tutor. Everyone has the right to say what they want to say about the apsects of knowledge because everyone has his or own perception of what knowledge is.
• Learner's gain knowledge through the insight of other, books and the media
• I am still undecided on weather knowledge is subjective or fixed. Knowledge might be considered a lit bit of everything from everything that we hear.
• Tutors and students should sit side by side
• The student should be the one during the work themselves
• Tutors are the ones who assist and encourage the student along the way.

Collaboration, Control, and the idea of a Writing Center Blog #2

Collaboration is very important in a writing center because it helps shape the way people write. For example, some of the main points that were described in the chapter is that

• Collaboration aids in problem finding as well as problem solving
• It helps people learn in a different way
• Collaboration allows people to think
• Collaboration allows people to sharpen their ideas
• It leads to higher achievement
• Collaboration engages the student and it allows active learning

I feel that collaboration does engage the student in a way because sometimes working together allows he or she to succeed. I feel that these ideas work because it combines reading, talking, writing, thinking all in one process. Sometimes two minds are better then one. Sometimes collaboration can sometimes be a bad thing. So in order to get groups to work well in the writing center, we as tutors should be effective as we can.

Blog # 1

This is my first time writing a blog. Today's assignment is to write about what I have learned so far. I learned that tutors do not do do the work for the students. I learned that tutors are not therapists. From reading the chapters that we had to read. One of the most important things that I have read was that peer tutoring allows both the student and the tutor to show personal involvement, become self-initiated and show self-evaluation. It is important that both the student and the tutor engage with one another. Sometimes it helps when students get one on one interaction because he or she can benefit from one another. I like how the book provides examples on what and how a tutor should act. Tutors should act in a professional manner. I used to tutor a lot of different people for different subjects. It is hard to tutor people when people have an attitude.I feel that everyone should be treated with respect. Tutoring is not easy as it looks but it takes a lot of patience to be an effective tutor. I am looking forward to learning about everything that the class has to offer.
I also learned that writing centers do a lot more than just tutor. I look forward to working with my classmates and the people that I will be tutoring.

english4070

Hi! This is my writing blog for my English class.