Student Writing Feedback Using Microsoft Word Templates

1. Student Writing Feedback Using Microsoft Word Templates April Ellenwood Oliver Santa Rosa Junior College ESL Department aoliver@santarosa.edu

2. Key Points • Writing instruction emphasis • Role of technology in writing instruction • My experiences • Student preparation before submitting writing • Macro how-to • Follow-up activities • Next steps…

3. Emphasis on Writing Instruction • Writing instruction push at federal and state levels • Teaching Excellence in Adult Literacy (TEAL) • https://teal.ed.gov/resources • http://www.otan.us/browse/index.cfm?fuseaction=doc&catid=33567&ref=6168 • CALPRO Research-Based Writing Instruction pilot program • Need for students to improve writing skills

4. Role of Technology in Writing Instruction • New GED test • Students need to use computers for writing component • Online classes, distance learning

5. My Experiences • High level credit ESL classes • Little writing experience • Unfamiliar with academic language • Students email me their writing and it is an easy way to give feedback • Students self-regulate their writing • I note problems, they make the changes • Saves me time!!! • Poor handwriting • Create macros (similar to templates) to give students feedback

6. Student Preparation before Submitting Writing • Define writing and editing terms for students • Topic sentence, thesis statement, etc. • RO, CS, Frag handout • Feedback Examples: • Thesis statement (or topic sentence) needs to be more specific • Assignment format incorrect • Run-on sentence • Students email writing attached as document • Moodle: Ss upload writing

7. Macro How-To • Step-by-step handout for MS Word 2010 (available on TDL website): www.otan.us/tdlsymposium/index.cfm?fuseaction=schedule

8. Follow-Up Activities • Individualized error/problem log-- handout • Use of authentic student examples • Guided practice– correcting writing assignments with feedback as class • Work as class, small groups, partners to focus on areas of improvement • Create handouts of errors for in-class work or homework • Topic sentence handout– taken from their writing

9. Next Steps • Adapt activities for transition class and noncredit ESL classes • OTAC Moodle project • Transition class with writing component

10. Resources • http://office.microsoft.com/ • TEAL Just Write! Guide • Section by section: https://teal.ed.gov/tealGuide/toc • PDF: http://www.otan.us/browse/index.cfm?fuseaction=doc&catid=33567&ref=6168 • Creating a macro in MS Word 2007: • http://youtu.be/RcgzFA4tsGA • Creating a macro in MS Word 2003 (screencast): • http://www.screencast.com/t/z4eNPt1rSC6

11. Thank you! • Additional Questions/Suggestions? • Email me at aoliver@santarosa.edu • Handouts on TDL Symposium website: www.otan.us/tdlsymposium/index.cfm?fuseaction=schedule