Using TBL To Give Graduate Students Effective and Efficient Feedback on Analytical Writing Assignments
- Sophie Sparrow, J.D., Professor of Law, Franklin Pierce Law Center
- Margaret Sova McCabe, J.D., Professor of Law, Franklin Pierce Law Center
Applying Team-Based Learning strategies in writing courses can leverage resources, allowing students to write more drafts, maximize their learning from each other, and decrease the amount of teacher-provided individual feedback.
Teaching writing is frequently a labor-intensive process focused on the relationship between teacher and student. In many writing courses, students learn to write effectively by regularly drafting assignments and then receiving teacher feedback, requiring significant teacher resources and small classes, typically with fewer than 20 students. In larger classes, students usually write less or receive less feedback. Team-based learning can leverage resources to maximize student learning.
Using team-based learning in analytical writing classes provides students with opportunities to learn from each other and to engage in higher-order thinking skills by evaluating and collaborating on writing assignments. In addition, using readiness assurance tests (RATs) in a writing course focuses students’ attention and maximizes out-of-class learning. RATs also measure students’ understanding of effective writing by gauging their ability to recognize it. We have used Team-Based Learning in a range of courses to improve students’ writing.
After completing the workshop, participants will be able to
- identify two ways to use Team-Based Learning to provide students with feedback about effective writing
- respond to and analyze Readiness Assurance test questions designed to develop students’ ability to identify effective and ineffective writing
- work in teams to evaluate students’ writing and compile effective examples of written work
- draft one Readiness Assurance test question designed to develop students’ ability to identify effective and ineffective writing.
Room 3.122
