We began today's training by freewriting about our worst paper/project/writing experiences. Most people focused on unclear or poor teachers, horrible topics, and other frustrations.
I hope we keep these student-oriented concerns in mind as we begin to tutor students in the fall and continue to think of ways to work productively through most difficulties.
For your blogging assignment today, I'd like for you to focus on your best writing experience! Narrate that situation. Remember: lots of sessions end beautifully, with both the tutee and the tutor feeling satisfied with the writing progress. So, as you are narrating your experience, address the question "what makes good writing?"
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Blogging, more like flogging
I'm not into blogging. It seems very emo to me. Why must we type our thoughts and feelings when we are all setting not 10 feet from each other? Don't get me wrong, I love to read and write, but then I like to talk to people about it, not type out my thoughts for the world to see.
In other news, I'm excited to work in the Learning Center. This should be fun.
In other news, I'm excited to work in the Learning Center. This should be fun.
Tuesday Training
Day one of training: The muffins were tasty.
Ok, so there was more. I remember being nervous my first quarter. It is easy to forget how something that comes as second nature to me now seemed so intimidating then. What I do here has become almost a hobby for me. I proofread published books. As I am reading them, I am double cheking comma usage in my head. But I remmber being nervous someone would be offended by something I had corrected in thier paper.
Once someone came to me so proud about thier grade (I helped them get a B), I stopped being timid. People need a chance to help them get a good grade. That is my job.
Tommorow I need to rememebr to bring water. The muffins make me thirsty.
Ok, so there was more. I remember being nervous my first quarter. It is easy to forget how something that comes as second nature to me now seemed so intimidating then. What I do here has become almost a hobby for me. I proofread published books. As I am reading them, I am double cheking comma usage in my head. But I remmber being nervous someone would be offended by something I had corrected in thier paper.
Once someone came to me so proud about thier grade (I helped them get a B), I stopped being timid. People need a chance to help them get a good grade. That is my job.
Tommorow I need to rememebr to bring water. The muffins make me thirsty.
The First Day
So far, so good. It seems like we will all mesh well together and be able and willing to support each other. Am I the only one that thinks "tutees" is amusing? I have already added a new word to my vocabulary! I truly believe that you learn something new every day...Here's hoping!
Odd Companions...
The training today has certainly helped me with reconciling myself to the thought of starting school in a week. For the last few weeks, I have been occupied with thoughts of being pregnant and how that will affect all other aspects of my life. Helping others write more thought provoking, well-thought-out papers should, in turn, help me be able to focus on the important changes that are about to occur.
I have always thought of myself as a writer, so it is in the helping of others that I will find my challenges. It will be difficult to hold myself back from putting too much of myself into their work, and to keep myself from possibly changing their writerly voice.
I have always thought of myself as a writer, so it is in the helping of others that I will find my challenges. It will be difficult to hold myself back from putting too much of myself into their work, and to keep myself from possibly changing their writerly voice.
Happy to Be Here
I'm certainly excited to be working at OUC's Writing Center.
So, here's some background info on me. I'm happily married to an Adult Services Librarian and have a gorgeous soon-to-be five-year-old daughter. We live in Waverly with our three cats. I previously worked as the editor of "The Pike County News Watchman" for five years. I returned to OUC last Winter to finish a degree I put off for six years. It's about time, is all I can say.
I've finally decided what to actually do with my English degree, which is teach. Therefore, I'll make my attempt at grad school before long. I'd like to attend OSU, since they offer a five-quarter Masters program in English Education. I've just always known that teaching is my niche, and I can't waste it. However, I've been determined to avoid majoring in education. I'd rather specialize in my field, and then learn all of the administrative/paper work/how-to-teach mumbo jumbo.
So, this new opportunity is particularly exciting for me. My goal is to immerse myself in this wonderful language we call English, while teaching others how to use it. At my job as editor, I worked mainly fixing others' writing errors, without having the opportunity to sit them down and correct their issues one at a time. Since we were constantly on deadlines, this was just the most efficient way to get the work done. However, I know that those poor writers weren't getting any better by me fixing their errors. Working here at the Writing Center, I'll be able to actually feel like I'm making a difference in my peers' education. I truly believe knowledge is power, and I want other people to have this revelation, as well. I plan to bestow it upon everyone I possibly can!
I also welcome this opportunity to learn and grow my own skills. I know everyone has room for improvement, and I'm ready to improve! I hope this experience gives me more ambition to produce my own works, as well. I've never really thought of myself as a writer, per say, but I think it's in me, somewhere, somehow. Maybe this experience will help draw it out of me!
So, here's some background info on me. I'm happily married to an Adult Services Librarian and have a gorgeous soon-to-be five-year-old daughter. We live in Waverly with our three cats. I previously worked as the editor of "The Pike County News Watchman" for five years. I returned to OUC last Winter to finish a degree I put off for six years. It's about time, is all I can say.
I've finally decided what to actually do with my English degree, which is teach. Therefore, I'll make my attempt at grad school before long. I'd like to attend OSU, since they offer a five-quarter Masters program in English Education. I've just always known that teaching is my niche, and I can't waste it. However, I've been determined to avoid majoring in education. I'd rather specialize in my field, and then learn all of the administrative/paper work/how-to-teach mumbo jumbo.
So, this new opportunity is particularly exciting for me. My goal is to immerse myself in this wonderful language we call English, while teaching others how to use it. At my job as editor, I worked mainly fixing others' writing errors, without having the opportunity to sit them down and correct their issues one at a time. Since we were constantly on deadlines, this was just the most efficient way to get the work done. However, I know that those poor writers weren't getting any better by me fixing their errors. Working here at the Writing Center, I'll be able to actually feel like I'm making a difference in my peers' education. I truly believe knowledge is power, and I want other people to have this revelation, as well. I plan to bestow it upon everyone I possibly can!
I also welcome this opportunity to learn and grow my own skills. I know everyone has room for improvement, and I'm ready to improve! I hope this experience gives me more ambition to produce my own works, as well. I've never really thought of myself as a writer, per say, but I think it's in me, somewhere, somehow. Maybe this experience will help draw it out of me!
Day One of Fall 2008 Training!
Glad all could come and participate in this WC orientation/training gig. I hope you find our time together meaningful and helpful when you sit down with your first tutee next week!
For the next 30 minutes, I would like for you to take the time to peruse our Writing Center blog and to join in on our conversations.
[I have handouts of the reading materials we have used so far. Catch up on them as you can.]
Otherwise, I challenge you to further reflect on today's topics and to create your own post here, summarizing, analyzing, critiquing, and/or simply responding to what you have learned.
Then, be sure to comment on at least one other post from today.
See you tomorrow!
For the next 30 minutes, I would like for you to take the time to peruse our Writing Center blog and to join in on our conversations.
[I have handouts of the reading materials we have used so far. Catch up on them as you can.]
Otherwise, I challenge you to further reflect on today's topics and to create your own post here, summarizing, analyzing, critiquing, and/or simply responding to what you have learned.
Then, be sure to comment on at least one other post from today.
See you tomorrow!
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