Supporting Writing Assignments

What do you do now to build in process (and support) with your writing assignments? What have you not yet tried but might want to try in the future to support assignments? Any barriers to providing in-class support activities for assignments that might make you reluctant to incorporate them?  What about outside-class support?

Supporting and Grading Oral Assignments

Faculty often mention that they are reluctant to grade speeches honestly because they don't spend enough time supporting the speaking assignment (discussions in class, drafts, etc.) and/or they aren't sure how to grade speeches. How have/have you supported oral assignments in the past? What are your major concerns about grading speeches?

Writing Assignments Discussion

What pedagogical and practical considerations typically inform your design of a writing assignment? How do the writing assignments in your courses function for your students? Are they meant to demonstrate mastery of form or material?  Or are they a part of how your students learn course content? Or both?  How much do your assignments change from semester to semester and course to course?

Speaking Assignments

Creating the kind of speaking assignment that motivates interesting student speeches can be tricky.  This week, you are reflecting on that process by examining an old assignment and thinking about the kinds of speaking skills that students might need in their major and/or careers.  Here, I'd like you to reflect on what you think makes an effective speaker in any communication context.