PeerCentered

 If you’re looking for a humorous and enlightening conversation, ask some professors about the writing assignments they receive from students in their courses.  The reactions will amaze you.  When I asked a professor whom I’ve had for two courses, “What are the problems with student writing that most bother you personally?” he sighed deeply, threw up his hands, and exclaimed, “Everything!”  He, then, began to explain the problems in students’ writing concerning content, organization, and mechanics that he faces in all of his courses.  You may be thinking, “Well, if he teaches freshmen, then, that’s understandable,” but this professor does not only teach freshmen; he teaches upperclassmen as well.  Why is student writing so horrendous across the board at the University level?  What is the Writing Lab’s role when helping students, from freshmen to graduate level, with academic writing?  How can the implementation of good writing practices be integrated into every course and department

To my dismay, I often find myself asking more questions than my client during consultations.  I have been a writing tutor for over a year now, and yet I’m still the one asking all the questions.  It seems opposite of what it should be right?  Well, before making any assumptions about my credentials as a tutor, let me explain.  Questions are the root of all answers.   It is impossible to discover the desired solution if we never ask the right questions.   This is a concept that most people can agree on, but how exactly does it play into tutoring?   Questions are essential for understanding the assignment during the introductory phase of a consultation, for working cooperatively with the client during the collaboration phase, and for receiving constructive feedback as the consultation concludes.   For starters, every consultation begins with questions.  “Have you been to the Writing Center before?”  “What are you working on today?”  “What’s the main thing you want to focus on du

Andrew Davis from Ole Miss has finished uploading the final two PeerCentered Meet the Author discussions with Laura Greenfield,  Karen Rowan and Harry Denny.  He has also made a spiffy play list for all the discussions that can be found at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR3rbubxOG7Uk6_JTseX55ikXtXTx_F6q . I am hoping to continue on these discussions in the fall.  If you have any author suggestions, you can post them in the comments here.  There is also a fancy poll in the Facebook group.