Question, Research, Experiment, and Write

WAC otherwise known as, Writing Across the Curriculum, was established in the 80’s in response to the high illiteracy rate of students entering college.  Since then educator’s started implementing writing strategies into their curriculum, whether it was used for learning or as a discipline.  As Melissa Kelly states:

Fortunately, as teachers in various disciplines have added writing to their courses, they have discovered that writing assignments bring great benefits. Not only do they enhance students’ general writing ability, but they also increase both the understanding of content while learning the specific vocabulary of the disciplines. – Melissa Kelly

However, she goes on to state that non-English courses are reluctant to add writing assignments into their already swamped curriculum.  The main complaints of those teachers being:  There isn’t enough time to teach students how to write a paper, let alone grade the paper.

Photographer: Howard Schatz

VanityFair.com

As a result Kelly has offered some helpful tricks including:  Grading shortcuts, peer evaluation, and holistic grading, all of which cut down on grading time.  Then to further encourage the use of WAC Kelly provides helpful sites that re-introduce writing techniques, rules and skills that any fearful non-English teacher can use to refresh their memory.  Finally she concludes with assigning a paper, making sure to keep in mind the type of essay it will be and the goals you want your students to address and learn.

From Kelly’s article I have realized how challenging WAC can be.  Not only are teachers required to meet benchmarks and curriculum content areas but they are also in charge of grading, readdressing issues that are lacking in student’s education and now finding time to incorporate writing assignments into this.  However impossible it may seem I think with Kelly’s helpful hints any teacher that wants to implement writing can easily do so.  After All being a teacher is a never ending job.  Therefore it is important for any teacher to do the best they can and to never give up.  WAC is an amazing opportunity to prep students for college and careers, finding time however little it may be is beneficial for the student in the long run.

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Kelly, Melissa.  Writing Across the Curriculum.  About.com:  Secondary Education.  Oct. 18, 2008