Teaching workshops
The University Writing Programs offer several workshops per year on various topics related to the teaching of writing. Each type of workshop is described below. Contact the Associate Director of the University Writing Programs for more details on any of these.
Topical workshops
The University Writing Programs and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning team up to provide several workshops each semester for faculty in all disciplines with a special focus on teachers of WI courses. Grounded in current writing theory and research, workshops address various topics and provide participants with strategies that can make writing instruction more effective and more efficient. Each workshop serves as a forum for faculty to swap ideas, learn new strategies and hone teaching practices. Recent workshops have dealt with a range of topics from assignment design to assessing writing to integrating peer review.
All writing instructors at UNH are encouraged to attend and to suggest workshop topics. We'll send email reminders about teaching workshops to past workshop attendees. If you're not currently receiving these emails and would like to, contact the Associate Director of the University Writing Programs.
Note: Our next workshops will take place in January 2010 (Teaching Critical Thinking) and February 2010 (Responding to Student Writing). More details are forthcoming. If you would like to discuss different topics, please consider the other options below.
Department and program workshops
In addition to these topical workshops, the Writing Programs also facilitates workshops for specific departments or programs on an as-needed basis. Such workshops can better address the conventions and values of writing appropriate to a given discipline. These workshops must be requested by a department and are available on a limited basis.
One-on-one consultations
Writing Program representatives are available on a by-arrangement basis for individual consultations with faculty. Such consultations may cover one or more of the following topics: course design, assigment design, drafting and revision, using peer review, and time and workload management. We can also consult with you on any workshop topic if you're unable to make the scheduled workshop time.
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Faculty Network
This ongoing project, started in fall 2009, consists of a series of discussions on the teaching of writing among a small, stable group of faculty members over the course of the academic year. Each meeting's topic is chosen by the group based on the questions raised in the previous meeting. Any faculty member can join the WAC Network, but prior arrangement is required. Please contact us if you're interested.
Our approach: Teaching (with) Writing
Through our workshops, we offer faculty opportunities to develop strategies for teaching writing and for teaching with writing:
- Teaching writing refers to the idea that learning to write always means learning how to write as a member of a discipline, field, or community of practice. What counts as “good writing” differs from field to field, and the University Writing Programs aim to help faculty across the disciplines articulate their values for writing and integrate them into assignment and course design.
- Teaching with writing, on the other hand, refers to the idea that writing is a tool for learning. The very act of writing helps students connect ideas, clarify thinking, explore topics, and demonstrate understanding. The University Writing Programs help faculty develop new ways of using writing as a learning tool.
Click here for more information on past and future workshop topics.