welcome instructors! please take note of the following: the audio will be broadcast over your...

Welcome Instructors!Please take note of the following:

• The audio will be broadcast over your computers so that you can listen in. If you want the opportunity to ask a question “in person,” you can call in to the teleconference. You will be muted upon entry into the call, so don't be alarmed if we can't hear you. Raise your hand if you’d like to say hello!

• We will be recording this session so that we can archive it on our webinar site at bedfordstmartins.com/webinar.

• If you are having technical difficulties, you can type your question into the Q&A box to the right. Or you can email us directly at bsmtech@bedfordstmartins.com.

Instructor Support for WritingClassBedford/St. Martin’s

• Overview of WritingClass• Support site for WritingClass: yourwritingclass.com

• Sign up for a live online demo • Take a tour

• How to ask questions during the webinar• Introduction to:

Joanne Posa, Greenville Technical College

Questions?

• If you have general questions about WritingClass: – use the Q&A box to the right to submit questions– Lynette will answer them throughout the webinar and follow

up with you via email if she doesn’t have time to answer

• If you have specific questions for Joanne: – wait until the Q&A session at 2:40 pm EST– at that time, raise your hand (the button at the bottom left

of the participants panel) and we will unmute you so you can ask your question

Joanne PosaGreenville Technical College

Grammar Diagnostics• Focuses on Grammar Remediation and Troubleshooting

– customized to individual student need

Personalized Study Plans• Help Identify Weaknesses

– immediate on-line scoring exposes student knowledge gaps• Help Strengthen Skills

– grammar exercises (tied to lessons) allow students to practice (with training wheels)

Grammar and Writing Modules

• Foster Independent Learning– additional exercises beyond the textbook provide fresh

review material

• Reinforces Class Lessons– user-friendly assignments for students who need lesson

repetition (due to absence/incomplete processing)

• Encourages Transfer of Grammar Knowledge to Writing Application– editing exercises are skills-specific

Grammar and Writing Modules

Time-Saving Advantages

• Replaces student/instructor office appointment(s) that reteach lesson(s) missed due to absence or inattention

• Grades and records individual student quizzes/tests instantly

• Provides a broad selection of standard tests and make-up tests– allowing instructor to spend more time outside class creatively

upgrading/adjusting lesson plans

• Creates a snapshot of each student “in process” (as skills develop)

Efficient & Effective System

• My Experiment:– Divided class in half– Tested one half using WritingClass as test prep tool (5

days before grammar test).

• Results:– half of class had higher scores on their tests overall

Student Engagement: Peer Review• WritingClass “Peer Review” engages students in cooperative

learning by fostering more peer interaction outside the classroom

• With class meeting time limited, more peer review assignments can be completed using WritingClass

Peer Review Teams• Review teams can be managed (changed/tracked) easily

Final Thoughts• WritingClass helps me manage my classes

more efficiently • It also gives my students additional tools to

help them develop as writers

• WritingClass is not a static product– It improves semester to semester with new tools

and functionality

Quick Tips on Getting Started• Work with Lynette Ledoux to set up class

• Wait until the third week of the semester before introducing students to WritingClass

• Bring students to computer lab for first WritingClass assignment

• Use instant scoring reports from grammar quizzes to help guide teaching (adjust lessons/assignments)

• Engage students in peer review assignments outside the classroom by setting up student teams/groups in WritingClass

• Explore it! There are so many helpful resources available. Check to see if new things have been added that you can fold into your course.