Since first entering the classroom, I have spent countless hours trying to be a better teacher. This effort has been, at least in part, a reason for my interests in writing assessment and the use of technology in the classroom.

Throughout my career I have sought opportunities to learn from others. As a program mentor for new graduate student teaching assistants, I discussed new ideas and was reminded of the many trials that come with first entering the classroom. As a writing center director, I was called upon to design and lead faculty workshops about the teaching and assessing of writing. Perhaps the greatest influences though have come through the teachers I emulate and the students I have taught.

My desire to be a better teacher has found its way into several formal projects. Listed below are some of those projects.

For a complete listing of scholarly activities, please see my CV.

 

 

 

Project Format Project Title and Link to Description
Publication and Presentation

“Bartering In a World of Bankers: The Effects of Friere’s Banking Concept on the Writing Tutorial”

Published in the 2005 EATAW Proceedings.

“Just Tell Me How To Fix It’ The Banking Concept vs Problem Posing in Writing Tutorials”
Presented at the 2005 European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing Conference in Athens, Greece

These projects investigated the effects of teacher preference on the style and effectiveness of writing center tutors.

Link to Article Abstract and Presentation Description
Publication

“When Pigs Fly: Getting Students to Learn Critical and Analytical
Thought” Inet Library. June 10, 2000. <Inetlibrary.com>

This article discussed the use of creative practices to encourage critical and analytical thinking in students. It made use of various forms of the three little pigs as an example.

 
Presentation

“Using Oral History in the Composition Classroom”

Co-presented at the 2007 European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing in Bochum, Germany, with Elizabeth Schnieder, BGSU Graduate Student

This presentation discussed the use techniques found in oral history to encourage meaningful, original research among first year composition students.

Link to Presentation Description
Workshop

“Collaborative Instruction in the Composition Classroom: Innovation by Design”

Co-designed and presented at European Association for the Teaching of Academic Writing in
Bochum, Germany, with Andrea Cleaves, BGSU PhD Student

This workshop discussed the benefits of collaborative teaching efforts and ways to encourage productive partnerships.

Link to Workshop Description
Workshop Series

“Creating Working Assignments” 

"Understanding Audience & Feedback as a Teaching Tool” 

“Assessment, Training, and the Rubric”

Conducted for UNK’s First Year Program Faculty