FEED BACK

The common theme in the freshman writing class is feedback, the benefits of receiving feedback and the concerns that also seem to be vocalized through the web-logs. Steph writes mainly about the specific assignments that she gives out in both writing classes. She feels strongly that the Wiki is a great way to receive feedback on student’s writings; she believes that writing is public, and should be available without restrictions. The students have mostly positive feelings about having their writing on the Wiki, and although some have concerns for who is reading the writing, they see the benefits from improving overshadow their anxiety.

Receiving feedback on individual writing is the best way to improve. Sometimes its hard to take criticism but being able to be anonymous on the web-logs helps students to write what is really on their mind, its gives them a freedom that doesn’t always exist in the classroom. Being anonymous allows those students being critiqued to accept feedback without becoming defensive; they don’t know who is giving the feedback and assume that they are also unknown.

By allowing her classes to use the Wiki as a resource for learning, Steph is creating a classroom. Although it is sometimes scary to put personnel writing out on the web and into the public eye, no student should feel embarrassed of what they have to say. Ideas are important and nothing to feel reluctant about when exposing them on the web. By making the critiquing of public writing available it helps to improve students skills, writing is a process, as is learning.

5 comments October 25, 2007