Using the Writing Studio to Using the Writing Studio to Extend and Enhance the Extend and Enhance the Environment of Your Environment of Your Writing ClassWriting Class

Telecoop 2007Telecoop 2007

Who am I? Who am I?

• Jill Salahub, Editor/Programmer for Jill Salahub, Editor/Programmer for Writing@CSU since 2004Writing@CSU since 2004

• Began my work with the project as a Began my work with the project as a C.S.U. graduate student in 2001C.S.U. graduate student in 2001

• I have used the site as both a I have used the site as both a teacher and a studentteacher and a student

What is the Writing Studio?What is the Writing Studio?A Web site where writers can:A Web site where writers can:• save work using various writing tools in a save work using various writing tools in a

free, password-protected account free, password-protected account • access more than 150 guides, interactive access more than 150 guides, interactive

activities, and videos for writers activities, and videos for writers • participate in Classes and Co-opsparticipate in Classes and Co-ops• create ePortfolios and Blogs create ePortfolios and Blogs • share and get feedback on their writing share and get feedback on their writing

Writing Studio VisionWriting Studio Vision

We think writing is best learned when We think writing is best learned when it is an activity during class, rather it is an activity during class, rather than simply an object of study. The than simply an object of study. The Writing Studio is our attempt to create Writing Studio is our attempt to create a writing environment that is similar a writing environment that is similar to the best types of writing to the best types of writing classrooms. We hope that, as it classrooms. We hope that, as it develops, we'll be able to provide develops, we'll be able to provide writers with writing tools, advice, writers with writing tools, advice, information, and feedback that will information, and feedback that will help them become better writers. help them become better writers.

Who can use the Writing Who can use the Writing Studio?Studio?• The Writing Studio supports writers The Writing Studio supports writers

and teachers regardless of and teachers regardless of institutional affiliation. We're institutional affiliation. We're committed to sharing our work with committed to sharing our work with as many writers and writing teachers as many writers and writing teachers as possible.as possible.

The goal of today’s The goal of today’s presentation?presentation?

To introduce the various features and To introduce the various features and tools of the Writing Studio, including:tools of the Writing Studio, including:• an overview of the Writing Studio’s an overview of the Writing Studio’s

origins and visionorigins and vision• a general idea of how to access and a general idea of how to access and

use the Writing Studio use the Writing Studio • a tour of what the site has to offera tour of what the site has to offer• my contact information so I can my contact information so I can

follow up with any lingering or follow up with any lingering or emerging issues or questionsemerging issues or questions

The Evolution of the The Evolution of the Writing StudioWriting Studio

Our site development began in Our site development began in 19921992 as as part of our efforts to support W.A.C. efforts part of our efforts to support W.A.C. efforts at our university. It was initially distributed at our university. It was initially distributed as an application available to all students as an application available to all students through our campus network in through our campus network in 19941994..

In In 19961996, the materials were , the materials were converted for use on the Web, where converted for use on the Web, where it began to be used by writers and it began to be used by writers and teachers from outside our institution.teachers from outside our institution.

A name change and redesign: The A name change and redesign: The Writing Center, Writing Center, 19981998..

By By 20002000, the site exceeded 30,000 , the site exceeded 30,000 pages in size with more than 200 writers pages in size with more than 200 writers having contributed content.having contributed content.

The The Writing StudioWriting Studio project, which project, which allows writers to create and save allows writers to create and save work in password-protected work in password-protected accounts, began in as an idea 1999. accounts, began in as an idea 1999.

The project began with a functional The project began with a functional map of an idealized instruction map of an idealized instruction environment, one in which writers environment, one in which writers could access instructional resources, could access instructional resources, communicate with and receive communicate with and receive feedback on writing from instructors feedback on writing from instructors and other writers, access tools that and other writers, access tools that support elements of the writing support elements of the writing process, and save their work for later process, and save their work for later access.access.

In broad terms, the Writing Studio In broad terms, the Writing Studio was initially designed as a collection was initially designed as a collection of “rooms,” each of which could of “rooms,” each of which could focus on a particular genre, focus on a particular genre, discipline, or course.discipline, or course.

Writing Studio, 2001Writing Studio, 2001

In the summer of In the summer of 20022002, we created a , we created a second prototype of the Writing second prototype of the Writing Studio that:Studio that: simplified the interface simplified the interface provided multiple navigation provided multiple navigation

options options implemented an expanded set of implemented an expanded set of

instructional materials, instructional materials, communication tools, and communication tools, and composing tools in each room composing tools in each room

The second prototype also The second prototype also introduced instructor tools that introduced instructor tools that provided students with the option of provided students with the option of sharing their work-in-progress with sharing their work-in-progress with an instructor. an instructor.

Once granted permission by a Once granted permission by a student, instructors could view and student, instructors could view and comment on work created by the comment on work created by the student.student.

Writing Writing Studio, Studio, 20022002

In December In December 20042004, we announced the , we announced the first public version of the Writing first public version of the Writing Studio.Studio.

Any writer could create a Writing Any writer could create a Writing Studio account, regardless of Studio account, regardless of institutional affiliation, and any writing institutional affiliation, and any writing teacher could become a Writing Studio teacher could become a Writing Studio instructor, a status that allowed them instructor, a status that allowed them to create and manage classes. to create and manage classes.

Writing Studio, 2004Writing Studio, 2004

In January of In January of 20072007, we released the , we released the latest major upgrade to the site, one latest major upgrade to the site, one that simplified the interface and that simplified the interface and incorporated a set of tools that incorporated a set of tools that reflected our students’ growing reflected our students’ growing familiarity with and interest in social familiarity with and interest in social networking systems such as networking systems such as MySpace and FaceBook. MySpace and FaceBook.

Writing Studio, 2007Writing Studio, 2007

When you login to the Writing Studio When you login to the Writing Studio now, you are taken to your “Writing now, you are taken to your “Writing Page,” where you can find your Page,” where you can find your writing tools, your saved work, your writing tools, your saved work, your classes and co-ops, and your blogs, classes and co-ops, and your blogs, among other things. among other things.

As they can with MySpace and As they can with MySpace and FaceBook, writers can also customize FaceBook, writers can also customize their spaces.their spaces.

Your Writing PageYour Writing Page

In the last 12 months, the In the last 12 months, the Writing@CSU site as a whole Writing@CSU site as a whole recorded more than 135 million hits recorded more than 135 million hits from more than 3.8 million visitors – from more than 3.8 million visitors – that’s roughly double the traffic the that’s roughly double the traffic the site received in 2004. site received in 2004.

Some Usage StatisticsSome Usage Statistics

In the past 12 months, roughly In the past 12 months, roughly 21,000 writers and 400 instructors 21,000 writers and 400 instructors have logged into the Writing Studio have logged into the Writing Studio more than 750,000 times – an more than 750,000 times – an average of about 36 logins per average of about 36 logins per account holder. account holder.

At last count, more than 30 At last count, more than 30 institutions are hosting classes on institutions are hosting classes on the Studio. the Studio.

In the last year, writers from more In the last year, writers from more than 900 institutions have logged than 900 institutions have logged into the Studio. into the Studio.

Writing Studio Tour and Writing Studio Tour and TipsTips

http://writing.colostate.edhttp://writing.colostate.ed

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Creating an AccountCreating an Account

Or Or

Your Writing PageYour Writing Page

BrowseBrowser Checkr Check

Finding Help in the Writing Finding Help in the Writing StudioStudio

Help TopicsHelp Topics

Help VideosHelp Videos

Help Step-by-Step GuidesHelp Step-by-Step Guides

Site IndexSite Index

Writing Studio GuideWriting Studio Guide

Writing Studio ActivityWriting Studio Activity

Writing ToolsWriting Tools

To-Do ListTo-Do List

Ideas Ideas ToolTool

Sources and Source Notes ToolsSources and Source Notes Tools

Outline ToolOutline Tool

Draft ToolDraft Tool

Blog ToolBlog Tool

ePortfolioePortfolio

Class PageClass Page

Class Page (“Zen”)Class Page (“Zen”)

Writing Writing Studio Class Studio Class FeaturesFeatures

You can set up your class site to use as many or as few of these features as you want.

CalendarCalendar

Calendar TipsCalendar Tips• The calendar is a good place to post The calendar is a good place to post

class plans, homework assignments, class plans, homework assignments, due dates, links to class materials, due dates, links to class materials, updates, etc., and a great way to keep updates, etc., and a great way to keep the whole class on schedule and the whole class on schedule and organized. Think of it like a virtual class organized. Think of it like a virtual class bulletin board.bulletin board.

• I have found that my students I have found that my students appreciate having this single, central appreciate having this single, central location where they can go to keep location where they can go to keep track of what they need to be doing for track of what they need to be doing for the class and what’s happening next. the class and what’s happening next.

For example, for my classes, each For example, for my classes, each day we meet has at least two entries day we meet has at least two entries to the course calendar: “Today’s to the course calendar: “Today’s Class and Homework Assignment” Class and Homework Assignment” and “Homework Due Today.”and “Homework Due Today.”

• In my classes, we agree to all treat In my classes, we agree to all treat the calendar as the authority in the the calendar as the authority in the class when it comes to assignments class when it comes to assignments and due dates.and due dates.

• Remember, if you commit to using Remember, if you commit to using the calendar, keep it current! I like the calendar, keep it current! I like to stay at least a week ahead to stay at least a week ahead (making updates as necessary).(making updates as necessary).

SyllabSyllabusus

My students can’t seem to hang on My students can’t seem to hang on to the paper syllabus I hand out the to the paper syllabus I hand out the first day of class and their memories first day of class and their memories of what it said aren’t exactly of what it said aren’t exactly accurate, so by providing them with accurate, so by providing them with an online version, they can an online version, they can continually reference that important continually reference that important information throughout the course of information throughout the course of the class.the class.

AssignmentsAssignments

MaterialsMaterials

Again, my students tend to lose paper Again, my students tend to lose paper copies of class materials, and I copies of class materials, and I attempt to keep down the numbers of attempt to keep down the numbers of copies I make, so the Assignments copies I make, so the Assignments and Materials areas in the Writing and Materials areas in the Writing Studio are great places to post what I Studio are great places to post what I would otherwise hand out (or chose would otherwise hand out (or chose not to include at all because I had no not to include at all because I had no easy way of sharing with them) and easy way of sharing with them) and allows for continuous access to the allows for continuous access to the material.material.

Web LinksWeb Links

Discussion ForumsDiscussion Forums

Online discussion forums are a good way Online discussion forums are a good way to continue a discussion beyond the to continue a discussion beyond the context of the officially scheduled class context of the officially scheduled class time and space.time and space.

They also allow for different learning They also allow for different learning styles. Some students might not be styles. Some students might not be comfortable speaking in class or might comfortable speaking in class or might need more time to process their ideas, need more time to process their ideas, and online discussion forums provide and online discussion forums provide them with the opportunity.them with the opportunity.

With online discussion forums, make sure With online discussion forums, make sure that as the instructor you participate!that as the instructor you participate!

Studies have shown that when a teacher Studies have shown that when a teacher posts a “judgment” or evaluative posts a “judgment” or evaluative statement (“good post” or “not quite, try statement (“good post” or “not quite, try again”—something that might identify again”—something that might identify the student post as “good enough” = the student post as “good enough” = “you’ve met my expectations and can “you’ve met my expectations and can stop now” or “not good enough” = “you stop now” or “not good enough” = “you should just be quiet now”) it can slow or should just be quiet now”) it can slow or even close down the discussion. Rather, even close down the discussion. Rather, teachers should step in with their own teachers should step in with their own posts where they see the opportunity to posts where they see the opportunity to pose a question that would move things pose a question that would move things forward.forward.

Email Email ListList

Class BlogsClass Blogs

Class Blogs are a great place to do daily Class Blogs are a great place to do daily writing, prewriting, brainstorming or writing, prewriting, brainstorming or planning for future projects, rough planning for future projects, rough drafts, responses to course readings – drafts, responses to course readings – any short writing assignments. I like any short writing assignments. I like how they help my students develop a how they help my students develop a writing habit as well as giving them a writing habit as well as giving them a specific audience that can also provide specific audience that can also provide them with feedback.them with feedback.

As their teacher, I also keep a blog As their teacher, I also keep a blog where I share with the class all the where I share with the class all the interesting stuff I am learning, an interesting stuff I am learning, an idea that our class work or discussion idea that our class work or discussion made me have later, what forgot to made me have later, what forgot to tell them in class, something I heard tell them in class, something I heard on NPR, etc. on NPR, etc.

ePortfoliosePortfoliosInstructors can create ePortfolio Instructors can create ePortfolio templates that writers can use as the templates that writers can use as the basis of a new portfolio, or students basis of a new portfolio, or students can create their own. Students can can create their own. Students can then share their ePortfolio with a class then share their ePortfolio with a class or an instructor and receive feedback. or an instructor and receive feedback.

ChatroomChatroom

The chatroom can be used by students The chatroom can be used by students who need to meet for group work, but who need to meet for group work, but can’t all be in the same place at the can’t all be in the same place at the same time.same time.

I’ve also experimented with holding I’ve also experimented with holding virtual office hours that run concurrent virtual office hours that run concurrent with my “actual” office hours. with my “actual” office hours.

I’m convinced there are ways to use I’m convinced there are ways to use this feature that I haven’t yet this feature that I haven’t yet imagined…imagined…

File FolderFile Folder

• The File Folder is an area where The File Folder is an area where students and instructors in a Writing students and instructors in a Writing Studio class can post files that can Studio class can post files that can then be accessed by anyone in the then be accessed by anyone in the class. class.

• Files are limited to 5 MB in size, and Files are limited to 5 MB in size, and for security reasons, we restrict the for security reasons, we restrict the types of files that can be added to types of files that can be added to the folder. In general, you can put the folder. In general, you can put most image and text files (including most image and text files (including Power Point) in the File Folder, as Power Point) in the File Folder, as well as some audio and video files.well as some audio and video files.

Guides, Guides, etc.etc.

The Guides, etc. section of your The Guides, etc. section of your Writing Studio class site is a place Writing Studio class site is a place where you can build a customized where you can build a customized collection of related Writing Studio collection of related Writing Studio resources for your specific course. resources for your specific course. These resources include collections, These resources include collections, guides, activities, tools, and videos.guides, activities, tools, and videos.

GradebookGradebook

GroupsGroups

If you ask students to work together in If you ask students to work together in smaller groups, consider using the smaller groups, consider using the group feature in your class site (here, group feature in your class site (here, you can create smaller groups with you can create smaller groups with their own file folder and discussion their own file folder and discussion forums), or if the projects are more forums), or if the projects are more extensive, create a co-op for them (this extensive, create a co-op for them (this gives them access to most of the same gives them access to most of the same features as a class site).features as a class site).

Writing Co-opWriting Co-op

Writing Co-op (“RMNP”)Writing Co-op (“RMNP”)

Class RosterClass Roster

Teaching NotebookTeaching NotebookThis is a place where you can post This is a place where you can post notes, materials, syllabus revision notes, materials, syllabus revision ideas, etc. for yourself. As the ideas, etc. for yourself. As the teacher, you are the only one with teacher, you are the only one with access to this area of the class access to this area of the class site.site.

Manage Manage CommenCommentsts

Class ManagementClass Management

Online Treasure Hunt: Online Treasure Hunt: To get students To get students acclimated to the Writing Studio acclimated to the Writing Studio environment, I give them a series of tasks to environment, I give them a series of tasks to complete that is a treasure hunt of sorts. complete that is a treasure hunt of sorts. For example: “Go to the Calendar and find For example: “Go to the Calendar and find the ‘Treasure Hunt’ entry for January 24th .” the ‘Treasure Hunt’ entry for January 24th .” This will send them to the Assignments This will send them to the Assignments section for directions that send them to my section for directions that send them to my blog and ask them to post a comment to my blog and ask them to post a comment to my “Treasure Hunt” entry to let me know they “Treasure Hunt” entry to let me know they were there, etc. I try to include all of the were there, etc. I try to include all of the key areas and features I’ll be asking them to key areas and features I’ll be asking them to use throughout the semester.use throughout the semester.

Your Writing PageYour Writing Page

Your CalendarYour Calendar

Your Writing GroupYour Writing Group

Classmates Classmates Class Roster Class Roster

Writing Writing Group Group MembMember er PagePage

PersonPersonal Work al Work FoldersFolders