Flipping and Blending: Using Online Forums in the Workshop-Based Composition Classroom
The materials in this module are designed to be used to teach writing/composition courses based on a Writing Workshop model. The workshop model is not a new concept in the writing classroom, nor are the benefits and challenges that come with it. Peer review is a key element of the workshop model, but it can sometimes present difficulties such as rushed or incomplete writing submissions, reluctant peer reviewers, inefficient use of time, and low quality feedback. Most writing teachers have encountered these and other hurdles.
The unavoidable truth is that writing is hard, and teaching writing might be even harder. Though there is no pedagogical approach or mobile app that will change this fact, online technology, specifically online discussion forums, can address some of the challenges that come with creating and teaching writing. Moving key activities to the online environment can transform student interactions both online and in the face-to-face classroom workshop. The section that follows this instructor overview contains resources that are designed to be student facing--the instructions and guidelines are written to be used directly with students. You will find the following:
- Online Writing Workshop Forum--Student Guide
- Workshop Forum Responsibilities
- Initial Response Guidelines
- Revision Plan Guidelines
Additional Instructor Resources
For teachers who do not have access to a learning management system or who prefer not to use an LMS, there are free online resources that will enable you to create and manage online discussion boards. One that is simple to use is Classchatter. See a feature tour here or at http://www.classchatter.com/inner.html.
To access the resources in this module as Google Docs, please visit the folder: Flipping and Blending--Online Workshop Forums.
All work in this module was created by Robbie Pock and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.