Writing4practice in engineering courses: Implementation and assessment approaches

Sibylle Gruber; Debra Larson; David Scott; Melvin Neville

doi:10.1080/10572259909364678

Technical Communication Quarterly Sep 1999

Writing4practice in engineering courses: Implementation and assessment approaches

Sibylle Gruber Northern Arizona University ; Debra Larson Northern Arizona University ; David Scott ; Melvin Neville Loyola University Chicago

Abstract

In this article, we analyze a two‐semester effort to integrate writing instruction into a multi‐disciplinary sophomore engineering design course in Northern Arizona University's College of Engineering and Technology. Specifically, we describe the programmatic implementation and assessment approach to evaluate whether student writing improved over the course of the semester. After discussing the reasons for taking a writing‐intensive approach to engineering, we analyze the results of a pre‐and post‐test administered over the span of an academic semester. Although the outcome of our assessment did not show significant improvement, we argue that writing instruction is important for increasing students’ overall learning skills. We conclude by pointing out several benefits and disadvantages of trying to assess writing improvement over two one‐semester periods.

Journal: Technical Communication Quarterly
Published: 1999-09-01
DOI: 10.1080/10572259909364678
CompPile: Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access: Closed
Topics: writing pedagogy assessment
Export: BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

Patton (2008)

Beyond WI: Building an integrated communication

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Carlson et al. (2008)

Using Computer-Mediated Peer Review in an Engineering Design Course

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Taylor (2007)

Comments on Lab Reports by Mechanical Engineering Teaching Assistants: Typical …

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Warnock et al. (2007)

Expressive/Exploratory Technical Writing (XTW) in Engineering: Shifting the Tec…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Taylor et al. (2006)

Ten Engineers Reading: Disjunctions between Preference and Practice in Civil En…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Show all 7 →

Taylor (2006)

Assessment in Client-Based Technical Writing Classes: Evolution of Teacher and …

Technical Communication Quarterly
Reave (2004)

Technical Communication Instruction in Engineering Schools: A Survey of Top-Ran…

Journal of Business and Technical Communication

References (33) · 9 in this index

Allen (1993)

The role(s) of assessment in technical communication: A review of the literature

Technical Communication Quarterly
Beebe Penny (1990)

“Skill with Words: A New Emphasis in the Education of Cornell Engineers.”

Engineering: Cornell Quarterly
Blakeslee Ann

Rhetoric in Science: Social and Rhetorical Practice in Ordinary Science
Bosley Deborah S. (1995)

“Collaborative Partnerships: Academia and Industry Working Together.”

Technical Communication
Charney et al. (1995)

Learning to Write in a Genre: What Student Writers Take from Model Texts

Research in the Teaching of English

Show all 33 →

10.2307/356095

↗
10.1002/j.2168-9830.1993.tb01075.x

↗
Farris Christine (1992)

Writing across the Curriculum: A Guide to Developing Programs.
Fulwiler Toby (1988)

Strengthening Programs for Writing across the Curriculum.
_____ (1982)

Teaching Writing in All Disciplines
Fulwiler Toby (1986)

Writing across the Disciplines: Research into Practice

Art Young and Toby Fulwiler
Geisler Cheryl (1994)

Academic Literacy and the Nature of Expertise: Reading, Writing, and Knowing in Academic …
GEISLER et al. (1998)

Disciplining Discourse: Discourse Practice in the Affiliated Professions of Sof…

Written Communication
Graham Joan (1992)

Writing across the Curriculum: A Guide to Developing Programs.
Hedges et al. (1990)

An Approach to the Integration of Communication Skills Development within an Un…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
10.1002/j.2168-9830.1996.tb00255.x

↗
10.1080/87567555.1993.10532251

↗
Huot (1990)

Reliability, Validity, and Holistic Scoring: What We Know and What We Need to Know

College Composition and Communication
10.2307/358601

↗
Larkin G. (1997)

Internal report to CET
Larson Debra . 1998 . E‐mail correspondence . 9 July
10.1017/CBO9780511815355

↗
Maimon Susan (1992)

Preface. Writing across the Curriculum: A Guide to Developing Programs.
10.1002/j.2168-9830.1996.tb00205.x

↗
Miller et al. (1998)

Responding to technical writing in an introductory engineering class: The role …

Technical Communication Quarterly
PAUL et al. (1995)

Introducing Chaos (Theory) into Science and Engineering: Effects of Rhetorical …

Written Communication
Piirto (1996)

Teaching Writing to Engineering Students: Toward a Nontechnical Approach

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Prior Paul (1997)

Assessing Writing across the Curriculum
Selfe Cynthia L. (1997)

Assessing Writing across the Curriculum.
Townsend Martha A. (1997)

Assessing Writing across the Curriculum.
Walvoord Barbara E. (1997)

Assessing Writing across the Curriculum.
WINSOR (1994)

Invention and Writing in Technical Work: Representing the Object

Written Communication
_____ (1996)

Writing Like an Engineer: A Rhetorical Education.

CrossRef global citation count: 16 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Writing4practice in engineering courses: Implementation and assessment approaches

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

References (33) · 9 in this index

Related Articles