John Wiley & Sons Student Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines Cover Designing interesting problems and writing assignments is one of the chief tasks of all teachers, bu.. Product #: 978-0-470-95212-2 Regular price: $36.36 $36.36 Auf Lager

Student Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines

A Guide for College Faculty

Bahls, Patrick

Cover

1. Auflage März 2012
192 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd

ISBN: 978-0-470-95212-2
John Wiley & Sons

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Designing interesting problems and writing assignments is one of
the chief tasks of all teachers, but it can be especially
challenging to translate and apply learning theory, good teaching
techniques, and writing assignments into STEM and other
quantitative disciplines. Student Writing in the Quantitative
Disciplines offers instructors in math-based disciplines meaningful
approaches to making their coursework richer and more relevant for
their students, as well as satisfying institutional imperatives for
writing curricula. This important resource provides instructors
with the hands-on skills needed to guide their students in writing
well in quantitative courses at all levels of the college
curriculum and to promote students' general cognitive and
intellectual growth.

Comprehensive in scope, the book includes:

* Ideas for using writing as a means of learning mathematical
concepts

* Illustrative examples of effective writing activities and
assignments in a number of different genres

* Assessment criteria and effective strategies for responding to
students' writing

* Examples of ways to help students engage in peer review,
revision, and resubmission of their written work

"Those of us who spend our lives urging faculty in all
disciplines to integrate more writing into their courses have
wished for the day when someone like Patrick Bahls would step
forward with a book like this one."--Chris M. Anson, University
Distinguished Professor and director, Campus Writing and Speaking
Program, North Carolina State University

"Written by a mathematician, this readable, theoretically sound
book describes practical strategies for teachers in the
quantitative sciences to assign and respond to students' writing.
It also describes numerous approaches to writing that engage
students in disciplinary learning, collaborative discovery, and
effective communication."--Art Young, Campbell Professor of
English emeritus, Clemson University

"Loaded with practical advice, this timely, important, and
engaging book will be an invaluable resource for instructors
wishing to bring the benefits of writing-to-learn to the
quantitative disciplines. As a mathematician thoroughly grounded in
writing-across-the-curriculum scholarship, Bahls brings humor,
classroom experience, and pedagogical savvy to a mission he clearly
loves--improving the quality of student learning in math and
science."--John C. Bean, professor, Seattle University, and
author, Engaging Ideas

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xxiii

About the Author xxv

One: Understanding the Role of Writing 1

Basic Definitions 2

A Brief History of Writing Across the Curriculum 3

Writing in the Disciplines and Writing-to-Learn in Quantitative Fields 6

Challenges to Implementing WAC in Quantitative Fields 11

Readings and Resources 18

Two: Writing as a Process 21

The Process at Work in a Mathematical Proof 22

The Writing Process 24

Structuring Writing Assignments 36

Sequencing Assignments Throughout a Course 42

Sequencing Writing from Course to Course 43

Three: Assessing and Responding to Student Writing 47

Recognizing Good Writing 49

Giving Guidance in Revision 53

Peer Review 63

Four: Low-Stakes Writing and Writing-to-Learn 75

Examples of Low-Stakes Writing Activities 77

Notes on Responding to Low-Stakes Writing 94

Readings and Resources 96

Five: Formal Writing Projects 97

Writing on Writing 98

Learning Logs 99

Student-Authored Exam Questions 101

"Great Debates" 105

Writing for Lay Audiences 108

Student-Authored Textbooks 110

Grant Writing 113

Wikis and Other Websites 117

Creative Writing Projects 119

A Word on Technical Typesetting 127

Six: Shaping the Future of Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines 129

Pushing Writing Forward 130

Teachers, Scholars, Champions 137

Recommended Reading and Resources 145

References 151

Index 159
"I highly recommend reading [this book] if you have been
wanting to introduce writing to your quantitative courses or
improve what you have been implementing.... I know that
I'll refer to it often, making it a great reference book. And
hopefully my students will be more likely to come out of my courses
saying, 'I now realize that writing is an important part of
being a great physicist!'"--Heather M. Whitney,
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Patrick Bahls is an associate professor of mathematics at the University of North Carolina, Asheville, where he also performs research in math and writing and has helped to lead his campus's writing intensive program.

P. Bahls, University of North Carolina, Asheville