Student Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines
A Guide for College Faculty

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