Writing & Learning
Contact
Bryan Kopp
Writing Programs Coordinator
161B Wing Hall
608.785.6936
Overview
Over the past 25 years UW-La Crosse has established a reputation as a writing-intensive university, adopting a systematic approach to developing student writing and learning. Not only do UW-L students write more than their counterparts at peer institutions, but many instructors design and teach writing-intensive courses and programs (read a brief history).
Quick Facts
- UW-L students complete two writing emphasis courses—or complete a writing-in-the-major program—in addition to first-year composition.
- Approximately 250 UW-L instructors have been certified to teach writing emphasis courses (see list).
- There are 22 approved writing-in-the-major programs on campus (see list).
- A significantly higher percentage of UW-L seniors typically write short and medium length papers than do seniors at the UW comprehensives and at 120 other masters’ institutions (NSSE).
Teaching & Learning Goals
The Writing Programs Coordinator provides resources, opportunities, and consultation services for instructors seeking to
- promote student learning through writing
- improve student writing abilities beyond the first year
- integrate writing into courses and programs
- create or refine writing assignments (including prompts, guidelines, and assessment rubrics)
- explore options for responding to and evaluating student writing
- gain Writing Emphasis certification
- develop or sustain a Writing-in-the-Major program
Teaching & Learning Activities
- Writing & Learning—a campus-wide initiative to improve student writing and student learning through writing.
- See the CATL calendar for event and project announcements.
- Visit the W & L Blog or Bookmarks for resources, news and strategies.
- Writing Assignments—a collection of instructional resources for teachers across the disciplines
- Writing Emphasis—a course-based effort to improve student writing and learning.
- Writing in the Major—a program-based effort to improve student writing and learning.
- Faculty Seminar on Investigating Student Understanding—a year-long seminar to support faculty writing projects focused on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Writing Programs Advisory Board
College of Business Administration
- John Betton, Management
- Lisa Giddings, Economics
College of Liberal Studies
- Michael Brennan, Sociology/Archaeology
- Deborah Buffton, History
- Linda Dickmeyer, Communication Studies
College of Science and Health
- Melissa Anderson, Chemistry
- Eric Gansen, Physics