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Subject: One view of why these studies belong together

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Steve Draper
Posts: 25
25/05/2007 15:47  
Two case studies address directly the issue of writing by science students. Because direct tutoring and practice at writing is often neglected in science programmes, when it is taken on it requires more intensive support than in disciplines such as History (where students are typically only admitted after substantial proof of writing ability in the discipline's genre, and furthermore they are given regular further practice at it as a matter of course). Both these cases share features such as a) the writing is directly relevant to their disciplinary learning (this is particularly striking in Hamer, they effectively get their computing students to write out design ratinales for their software, something not often taught early in such courses, yet very helpful for developing reflective practices). b) Structured requirements for providing peer feedback, to amplify the amount of feedback that staff alone could provide. c) Seeing the work of other students is also helpful in giving them ideas on what they might do when writing (which otherwise is limited to the very sparse constructive suggestions in feedback from staff).
John Hamer
Posts: 2
31/05/2007 07:18  
I would add a discipline-specific comment: introductory programming invariably involves students writing computer programs that form the sole item for assessment. So, what is left to write about? There is no experiment to describe, no results (other than the expected output), no analysis of any data, no interpretation. Other science subjects at least have those. The reflective essay provides a topic (self-reflection) and a reason for writing about it (self-improvement).
Charlotte Taylor
Posts: 4
31/05/2007 07:46  
In terms of discipline specific- also try to make the links for students about writing to learn biology, so that writing isn't seen as something extra imposed on top of or outside the biology being studied. We have evidence that students who see this link are working at a much more sophisticated level and are obviously also gaining more from the experience. Those who keep writing and biology separate make more work for themselves and make less progress in both - self evident to us but a "light bulb" event for many students!
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Forums > Writing for scientists Session > Writing for scientists > One view of why these studies belong together


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