Transformative Writing: Using Real- Life Experiences to Teach Writing Margot Kinberg National University Clute Institute International Education Conference Las Vegas, NV October 2015

Transformative Writing: Using Real- Life Experiences to Teach Writing Why do students need to learn writing skills? What do students generally write about? What’s the problem with that? Why should students write from real-life experience? How can real-life writing be integrated into the curriculum?

Why Do Students Need to Learn Writing Skills? Writing is an important communication skill. Effective writing is connected with professional success

What Do Students Generally Write About? What’s the Problem With That? Decontextualized Writing Tasks Impact on Meaning-Making

Why Should Students Write From Real Life Experiences? Students choose to be more motivated when they are writing about personally meaningful topics (e.g. Powell, 2015). Students learn more from texts when they access prior content knowledge and prior metacognitive knowledge (Kostons & Werf, 2015).

How Can Real-Life Writing Be Integrated Into the Curriculum? Program Information How real-life writing has been integrated Observations Lesson Plans and Reflections Course Reflections Has it been successful?

Background Information Three different courses: Course A (24 students); Course B: (21 students); Course C (20 students) Anonymous student evaluations Focus on self-perception of writing skills

Does Real-Life Writing Transform Writing Skills?

Can Real-Life Writing Be Integrated Into Other Content Areas? Reflections and Journal Entries Interviews Field Notes Internship and Other Employment Experiences

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