We "experienced" minimalist tutoring today. After a brief overview of Brooks' article and the Rutgers video - you tried out some minimalist tutoring with your classmates. We then did some reflecting on how it works, when it might be a better idea to switch to more directive techniques and why. I was very impressed with you work as tutors!
I also gave a very brief and moderately confusing introduction to some of the techniques you will use to analyze the notes you will be taking on students at the center. We will be discussing the two handouts on Wednesday - when you come back after your Columbus Day break. We will also be discussing two examples of writing center research from your book: Anne DiPardo's "Whispers of Coming and Going": Lessons from Fannie' (p 350 in Longman); and Julie Neff's 'Learning Disabilities and the Writing Center' (p. 376 in Longman). These are both interesting reads and will give you an idea for how you will be using your notes in your research paper.
As noted on the calendar - even though you don't have class on Columbus Day I will be looking for a post. So you will be doing two blog posts.
Blog 9: Write your position on when to use minimalist techniques & when to conduct mor teacher centered approaches. How does this fit with your personal style? How will your approach shift with different students? with different assignments?
Blog 10: Read+ comment on classmates blogs & begin an exploration of what kinds of research on tutoring writing interests you. What would you like to study? Are there any aspects of learning through f2f talk about writing that you think are poorly understood and that need further study? Does any of it seem important to you? If you could invent any project you wanted to (you don't have to do this one) to study how and what students learn in writing centers - what would you do? Check out some of the research reported in the journals linked to this blog.
Turn in your Analyses of North (the BAD assignment experiment) by Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Thanks for your good work today - and see you in a week.
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