Writing-to-learn in introductory materials science and engineering

We examine the impact of writing-to-learn (WTL) on promoting conceptual understanding of introductory materials science and engineering, including crystal structures, stress–strain behavior, phase diagrams, and corrosion. We use an analysis of writing products in comparison with pre/post concept-inventory-style assessments. For all topics, statistically significant improvements between draft and revision scores are apparent. For the stress–strain and phase diagram WTL assignments that require synthesis of qualitative data into quantitative formats, while emphasizing microstructure-properties correlations, the highest WTL effect sizes and medium-to-high gains on corresponding assessments are observed. We present these findings and suggest strategies for future WTL design and implementation. Graphic abstract

I WROTE, I WAS EVALUATED, AND I LEARNED AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHING PROCESS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION: WRITING-TO-LEARN

Distance education has become an essential part of life on a global scale during the COVID-19 pandemic. This process has driven all education stakeholders, who focus on providing learning outcomes without any loss, to alternative teaching models. The aim of this study is to examine the extent of the effects of writing-to-learn activities integrated into the distance education process on learning. Conducted as an action research, this study consisted of 42 Year 4 undergraduate prospective teachers studying Social Studies Teaching. A variety of writing-to-learn activities and semi-structured interview forms were used as data collection tools. While writing-to-learn activities were evaluated with holistic rubric, the opinions of prospective teachers were analyzed by content analysis. As a result, it was concluded that writing-to-learn activities included in distance education made significant contributions to the development of students throughout the application process. The activities were found effective on learning since they involved students in the process and facilitated permanent learning. It is understood from the opinions of the prospective teachers that an enjoyable and quality learning can be achieved with such activities included in the study, even from a distance. Based on the results, it can be stated that the writing-to-learn model is an alternative learning approach that can be used in distance education.

Journaling about progress and errors

Drawing on mindset, belonging, and equity scholarship, a journaling assignment was developed as a low-stakes, writing-to-learn, formative assessment instructional tool for engaging students with content, normalizing mistakes, and supporting students during remotely scheduled online instruction for introductory linguistic analysis courses. Anecdotal data from student evaluations and instructor impressions suggest that journals provide high impact learning opportunities.

Writing to Learn: A Framework for Structuring Writing Assignments to Support Analytics Course Learning Goals

Drawing on the scholarship of writing and learning, this article motivates the use of writing assignments in analytics courses and develops a framework for instructional design that advances both writing skills and discipline-specific learning. We translate a best practices set of foundational writing concepts into a matrix of design levers for analytics instructors and propose an instructional design process that balances discipline-specific learning goals with foundational writing concepts through specific writing activities. We summarize our experience applying the framework to a particular data science course and present some early evidence for favorable outcomes. The positive effect we observe extends beyond learning course concepts and includes increased student engagement and contributions to group work.

Developing a Learning Module About Integers for 7th Grade Students through Writing-to-Learn

Previous research shows that seventh-grade students lack a sense of flexibility about numbers, lack comprehension of the effect of the operation on numbers, and lack estimation skills. On the other hand, writing to learn is one of the learning activities where the students actively write to express themselves in learning specific material/topic. This project aims to develop a learning module for students about the integers by utilizing the basic number sense framework: the six strands of number sense (Mcintosh et al., 1997) and combining it using writing to learn mathematics (Burns, 1995). The module developed using the steps proposed by Purwanto (2007) and then validated by the experts and tested to the subjects’ trial. The module was then validated by three experts who are lecturers at Sampoerna University. After validation, the module was then tested on four seventh-grade students, where the data gathered by both observation and group interview. As a result, all participants agree that the learning module is easier than what they taught at school and would recommend the module to their friends.