Commingling Two WAC Programs Writing Associates Program (WAP) Online Tutorial Program Student Surveys: WAP Faculty Surveys: WAP Associate Surveys: WAP Student Surveys: Online Tutorial Program Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Writing Associates Program 60 courses, 1200 students Associates attend class & read materials They collaborate with faculty They conduct workshops & prepare materials Design website Provide 100 hours of tutoring/course Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Online Tutorial Program Increase in available tutorial hours Student receives richer feedback Camaraderie forms online Flexible schedule Student has written record of sessions Associate gains reflective time to reflect Reading process more authentic Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Student Survey Response: WAP (N=476) 96% rate program as helpful 96% value varied resources 98% recommend program expansion Most used online option Acknowledged WA’s disciplinary skills Writing & critical thinking improvements Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Faculty Survey Response: WAP (N=12) All rate program as successful All request associate for future All recommend program to colleagues Cite benefits of collaboration Recommend increasing class attendance Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Associate Survey Response: WAP (N=14) Rate program as successful View online tutorials as fluid process See online benefiting students Voice concerns of some overload Prefer more in-class attendance Note budgetary concerns Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Student Response: Online Tutorials (N=650) 74% note faculty recommendation 98% rate as successful 94% use again (3% graduating) 84% “all” (opening, *embedded*, closing comments) most helpful Online resources a plus Associate-linked courses advantage Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Need to Assess Programs “I recommend…gathering data of all sorts….We need assessment so we can prove as empirically as possible that what we do is effective and also so that we can find the holes in our programs that need to be plugged.” Susan McLeod, 19th International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010
Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference Summation Collect data Analyze data Report results Use findings to improve instruction & student learning Use outcomes to sustain & expand WAC programs Judy Arzt, College Composition & Communication Conference March 18, 2010