NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1262704
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1554-8244
EISSN: N/A
Reflecting on the Past, Reconstructing the Future: Faculty Members' Threshold Concepts for Teaching Writing in the Disciplines
Basgier, Christopher; Simpson, Amber
Across the Disciplines, v17 n1-2 p6-25 Jul 2020
A growing body of scholarship in writing studies has started exploring threshold concepts for writing, providing a synoptic view of the transformations students undergo as they learn about writing. However, the field has not yet undertaken a systematic investigation of threshold concepts for the teaching of writing. A distinction between threshold concepts for writing and threshold concepts for the teaching of writing is especially important for WAC initiatives that work with faculty in the disciplines who may not have extensive training in writing pedagogy. Research into threshold concepts for the teaching of writing in the disciplines can help WAC professionals better understand the conceptual transformations these faculty experience as they participate in our programs. In this article, we present three threshold concepts for the teaching of writing in the disciplines that we identified: effective writing pedagogy involves iterative, multifaceted change; students' development as writers can be supported through scaffolded interventions; and genres can be taught as actions, not (just) as forms. To illustrate these concepts, we share faculty narratives from a survey and focus groups, which we analyze using a narrative framework for identifying threshold concepts derived from phenomenographic analysis. We conclude by suggesting additional candidates for threshold concepts for the teaching of writing in the disciplines, and commenting on the value of narrative for promoting faculty reflection and assessing WAC faculty development.
WAC Clearinghouse. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Tel: 970-491-3132; Web site: http://wac.colostate.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Alabama
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A