Online Directed
Self-Placement at
Currently, students are sent a letter by the Writing Program regarding the
steps they need to take and giving them a July 1 deadline to choose between a
non-required basic writing course and the standard first-semester required writing
course. The process includes a grammar
diagnostic and a Macromedia presentation that introduces the writing program
director, whose voice guides the students through a series of choices and
explanations There are sample student
papers (A and B grades) from EN 101 for students to peruse before making their
choice.
Discussion Board,
a feature of Blackboard, gives students the opportunity to ask questions.
This year only 50% of the students had placed themselves by the July 1
deadline. The writing program directors will be exploring solutions to
this problem. In part, it was a problem
because it was so time-consuming for the director during a non-contract time
(summer). She had to constantly tally
the non-responsive students and contact them.
This year, part of the solution will involve hiring a work study
student, probably an experienced writing center tutor, to keep on their
case.
More time for DSP was
given during late orientation. Students are given an in-class writing
exercise during the first two weeks of class and, when appropriate, encouraged
to consult with the WPA about their placement. It's the final "safety net." Students are advised by their instructor and
the WPA if they are perceived as having made an incorrect self-placement. However, students can ultimately decide to
remain in the course of their choice. It
occurs within the first 3 class meetings.
An interesting side effect of online DSP is that it has improved the clientele
that visits WC. Alexandria Peary, the Writing Program Director, suspects
that the online communication of DSP familiarizes incoming students to the
Writing Program (and thus its
Resources for
Exploring Online DSP at
Letter to new students about online DSP
Script from online Macromedia presentation for online DSP
SAT and course performance statistics for student self-placements