Responding, Revising and Assessing Student Writings from Coursera

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Syllabus

Responding to Student Writing

It’s interesting to consider the verbs we often use to describe what we teachers do with a batch of student papers. We have papers to “grade;” papers to “correct.” Seldom do we say that we have a batch of papers we need to “respond to.” And yet it’s through our responses that students can best learn and grow. That doesn’t always happen; if you’ve taught before, you’ve probably had the experience of giving back papers on which you’ve worked hard to provide responses and instructions, only to watch your students take the papers you’re returning and turn right to the grade, ignoring everything else you’ve written. In this module, we’ll identify strategies for responding to student writing so that students will first of all, read and understand your comments, and then be able to use those comments for learning and growth. We’ll look at different ways to respond to student writing, including through conferences and peer review, and we’ll even consider effective ways to respond to students’ use of grammar. At the end of this module, you’ll reflect on how you might apply your learning to your own teaching situation.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Involves students throughout review, grading, and assessment process

Emphasizes revision and gives teachers the knowledge and tools to teach it

Covers a range of post-writing assignment evaluation techniques

Provides strategies to help student learners actively engage with feedback

Focuses on best practices, builds a toolkit of skills and strategies

Taught by instructors experienced in teaching writing and responding

Reviews summary

Effective strategies for writing instruction

According to students, this course offers a game-changer for teaching practice, providing actionable strategies for responding to, revising, and assessing student writing. Learners particularly value the instructor's relatable insights and practical approach, especially the emphasis on involving students in the assessment process through peer review and self-assessment. While largely seen as highly beneficial and comprehensive, some more experienced educators noted that certain aspects might feel a bit basic or theoretical, occasionally wishing for more explicit implementation examples for practical classroom challenges.

Covers key areas: response, revision, and assessment.

"It covered all aspects of writing instruction, from initial feedback to final grades."

"The distinction between revision and editing was particularly clear and helpful."

"I found the section on grammar response particularly insightful, giving me new ways to provide constructive feedback."

Emphasizes empowering students in the learning and assessment process.

"I particularly appreciated the module on involving students in assessment. The strategies for peer review and self-assessment were incredibly practical."

"The focus on student growth over just a grade is exactly what I needed. It encourages a more holistic view of student writing and growth."

"The ideas presented really helped me rethink how to engage students more actively in their own learning and evaluation."

Shares valuable, relatable insights from teaching experience.

"The instructor's personal anecdotes and 'confessions' about grading made the material very relatable."

"I appreciated the honest reflections on the challenges of grading student writing."

"The course instructor's genuine enthusiasm for teaching comes through and makes the material engaging."

Offers actionable techniques for effective writing instruction.

"This course was a game-changer for my teaching practice... I've already implemented some in my classroom and seen positive results."

"I found myself re-evaluating my current grading system based on the content on assessment methods."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Content may be basic for very experienced teachers.

"Some of the information was a bit basic for me as an experienced teacher. I was hoping for more advanced strategies or research-backed insights."

"While the course covered important topics, I felt some of the peer review sections lacked sufficient detail on *how* to manage it effectively in a large class."

"Good for beginners, but not much new for seasoned educators; it left me wanting more specific implementation guidance for practical challenges."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Responding, Revising and Assessing Student Writings with these activities:

Organize Course Resources

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Organize lecture notes, course readings, and other materials to enhance learning and revision.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Gather all course materials, including notes, handouts, and readings.
Create a system for organizing and labeling the materials.
Review the organized materials regularly to reinforce learning.

Study Grammar Rules and Examples

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Review grammar rules and examples to enhance writing accuracy and clarity.

Browse courses on Grammar

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Identify areas of grammar where you need improvement.
Find online tutorials or resources that provide clear explanations.
Practice applying the rules through exercises or writing samples.

Practice Writing Assignments

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Engage in regular writing exercises to sharpen writing skills and improve confidence in writing assignments.

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Set aside time for regular writing practice.
Choose topics that challenge your writing abilities.
Focus on improving specific writing skills, such as grammar, structure, or style.
Seek feedback from peers or instructors to identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Peer Writing Support

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Engage with peers to provide and receive feedback on writing assignments, enhancing writing skills and perspectives.

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Form a peer review group with classmates.
Exchange writing samples and provide constructive criticism.
Consider different perspectives and suggestions to improve writing quality.

Read 'On Writing Well' by Zinsser

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Gain insights into writing style and techniques from a renowned author to enhance writing quality.

View Extraordinary Lives on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser.
Read the book thoroughly, paying attention to the author's advice and examples.
Apply the techniques and principles to your own writing.

Create a Writing Portfolio

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Assemble a portfolio of writing samples to showcase writing skills and progress over time.

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Select writing assignments that demonstrate different writing styles and abilities.
Create a digital or physical portfolio to store the selected works.
Reflect on the strengths and areas for improvement within the writing samples.

Contribute to Open-Source Writing Projects

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Participate in open-source writing projects to gain experience in collaborative writing and enhance writing skills.

Browse courses on Writing

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Identify open-source writing projects that align with your interests.
Join the project community and contribute to writing tasks.
Collaborate with other writers to improve the quality of the writing.

Career center

Learners who complete Responding, Revising and Assessing Student Writings will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Writing Teacher

Writing Teachers help students develop their writing skills. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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English Teacher

English Teachers help students develop their reading and writing skills. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for engaging students in the assessment process.

See salaries and explore the career path for English Teacher

High School Teacher

High School Teachers teach students in grades 9-12. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Middle School Teacher

Middle School Teachers teach students in grades 6-8. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Elementary School Teacher

Elementary School Teachers teach students in grades K-5. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teachers teach students with disabilities. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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ESL Teacher

ESL Teachers teach English to students who are not native speakers. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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College Professor

College Professors teach and research at colleges and universities. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to effectively respond to and revise your students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Reading Specialist

Reading Specialists help struggling readers develop their reading skills. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to identify and address the individual needs of your students. You will also develop strategies for responding to and revising your students' writing.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers design and develop educational materials. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to create effective writing instruction for students. You will also learn strategies for evaluating and assessing student learning.

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Professional Development Specialist

Professional Development Specialists provide training and support to teachers. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to provide effective feedback to teachers on their students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Literacy Coach

Literacy Coaches help teachers improve their literacy instruction. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to provide effective feedback to teachers on their students' writing. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision and assessment.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers design and develop educational materials. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to create effective writing instruction for students. You will also learn strategies for assessing student learning.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide guidance to schools and districts on educational issues. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to assess student learning and provide feedback to teachers. You will also learn strategies for teaching revision.

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Admissions Counselor

Admissions Counselors help students apply to college. This course will help you develop the skills necessary to evaluate and assess students' writing. You will also learn strategies for providing feedback to students on their writing.

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