Anyone using informal writing prompts in classes?

Nellie,

I set up forums for discussion outside of the live sessions: however, I need to use informal writing during the classes. The writing is part of the instructional process, not a quiz or homework. The link explains how I use the writing.
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/writing-prompts-informal.html



Linda
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com
http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni
http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

Nellie, I set up forums for discussion outside of the live sessions: however, I need to use informal writing during the classes. The writing is part of the instructional process, not a quiz or homework. The link explains how I use the writing. http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/writing-prompts-informal.html Linda http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

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Hi, Nellie,

I should not have assumed everyone on this thread would be familiar with the term writing prompt.

A writing prompt is a signal to write. An informal prompt is short, timed, and requires everyone to write simultaneously. Informal prompts are used for many different uses. Studies have shown that when people are asked to write informally first, the amount and quality of voice interaction goes up.

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Here's an example of an informal prompt from an class in English grammar:

Write a sentence using the verb hike. Then write the sentence again changing the verb to hiked. In 2-3 sentences explain how the meaning of the sentence changed when you changed the verb tense. You have 2 minutes to write.

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People could use the chat box for informal prompts, but I don't know how well that would work. Students have a tendency to use substandard writing in chat, which defeats the purpose of a class to teach writing.

I like to have all of a person's responses to informal prompts in a class session in one file. I use the information for several different purposes outside the class session itself.

I guess I'll just have to experiment and see what works.

Linda
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com
http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni
http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

Hi, Nellie, I should not have assumed everyone on this thread would be familiar with the term writing prompt. A writing prompt is a signal to write. An informal prompt is short, timed, and requires everyone to write simultaneously. Informal prompts are used for many different uses. Studies have shown that when people are asked to write informally first, the amount and quality of voice interaction goes up. ======== Here's an example of an informal prompt from an class in English grammar: Write a sentence using the verb hike. Then write the sentence again changing the verb to hiked. In 2-3 sentences explain how the meaning of the sentence changed when you changed the verb tense. You have 2 minutes to write. ======== People could use the chat box for informal prompts, but I don't know how well that would work. Students have a tendency to use substandard writing in chat, which defeats the purpose of a class to teach writing. I like to have all of a person's responses to informal prompts in a class session in one file. I use the information for several different purposes outside the class session itself. I guess I'll just have to experiment and see what works. Linda http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

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Reply to Pamela

Your solution might work if the purpose were to have students see each others' work, but that is not what I want to do. I use informal writing for formative assessment. I need to keep copies of students' work.

I do teach workshops in use of informal writing prompts. You can find information at http://bit.ly/hFofm

Linda Aragoni
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com
http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni
http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

Reply to Pamela Your solution might work if the purpose were to have students see each others' work, but that is not what I want to do. I use informal writing for formative assessment. I need to keep copies of students' work. I do teach workshops in use of informal writing prompts. You can find information at http://bit.ly/hFofm Linda Aragoni http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com http://twitter.com/LindaAragoni http://GreatPenformances.Wordpress.com

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Reply to CAT...Your suggestions might work well if I were teaching grammar or oral language, but teaching college level writing and professional development courses for writing teachers. When I teach how to use informal writing prompts, I need to have the participants use informal writing prompts.

Here are a few links to pages that discuss informal writing prompts:

http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/writing-prompts-informal.html
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-assessment.html
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-assessments.html
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-evaluation.html
http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/online-courses.html

Linda Aragoni

Reply to CAT...Your suggestions might work well if I were teaching grammar or oral language, but teaching college level writing and professional development courses for writing teachers. When I teach how to use informal writing prompts, I need to have the participants use informal writing prompts. Here are a few links to pages that discuss informal writing prompts: http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/writing-prompts-informal.html http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-assessment.html http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-assessments.html http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/formative-evaluation.html http://www.you-can-teach-writing.com/online-courses.html Linda Aragoni

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Hi Linda,

If by writing prompts you mean interacting with the learning in real time, WiZiQ would be perfect since the participants can use upload images, MS word, PDF, and powerpoint slides/files to the whiteboard as well as communicate via audio, video, and the chat box in real time. Classes on WiZiQ are ideal because they keep the learners focused and on target at all times.

Please let me know if I can be of further help.

Warm wishes,
Nellie

Hi Linda, If by writing prompts you mean interacting with the learning in real time, WiZiQ would be perfect since the participants can use upload images, MS word, PDF, and powerpoint slides/files to the whiteboard as well as communicate via audio, video, and the chat box in real time. Classes on WiZiQ are ideal because they keep the learners focused and on target at all times. Please let me know if I can be of further help. Warm wishes, Nellie

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Dear Linda,

There are various ways to get student responses before and after WiZiQ classes. One way is to have students email you. But you may wish to create a wiki workshop (page) on WikiEducator or on other wikis available. I would gladly help you set up a page or workshop.

Here is a youtube video on the advantages of using a wiki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

Warm wishes,
Nellie Deutsch
http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Nelliemuller

Dear Linda, There are various ways to get student responses before and after WiZiQ classes. One way is to have students email you. But you may wish to create a wiki workshop (page) on WikiEducator or on other wikis available. I would gladly help you set up a page or workshop. Here is a youtube video on the advantages of using a wiki: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY Warm wishes, Nellie Deutsch http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Nelliemuller

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Informal Writing Prompts
Try this out in a session on Wiziq:

Pick up any topic, say the Supermarket or the Townhall. Prepare some good words that would match the vocabulary of Grade 7 and above, but don't disclose them when the class begins. Transfer the audio control to any one student and ask him/her to speak two sentences on the topic. Ask the other participants to write improved versions of those sentences in the chat box. Pick up 3 such versions, paste them on the WhiteBoard, ask the students to further refine them and slowly add on your words. Do remember to acknowledge the students who contribute the improvements as they'll be encouraged to write good sentences.

Informal Writing Prompts Try this out in a session on Wiziq: Pick up any topic, say the Supermarket or the Townhall. Prepare some good words that would match the vocabulary of Grade 7 and above, but don't disclose them when the class begins. Transfer the audio control to any one student and ask him/her to speak two sentences on the topic. Ask the other participants to write improved versions of those sentences in the chat box. Pick up 3 such versions, paste them on the WhiteBoard, ask the students to further refine them and slowly add on your words. Do remember to acknowledge the students who contribute the improvements as they'll be encouraged to write good sentences.

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Another way to use informal prompts:

Pick up any topic or Lesson and put 5 Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives and Adverbs each on the WhiteBoard.
Ask the students to match and make sentences making innovative combinations of these parts of Speech.

Another way to use informal prompts: Pick up any topic or Lesson and put 5 Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives and Adverbs each on the WhiteBoard. Ask the students to match and make sentences making innovative combinations of these parts of Speech.

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Hi Linda,

After reading about them I think that´s a good idea to work with writing.

I think this could be done on WizIQ by giving the online participants writing privileges (this means they can all write on the whiteboard using the tools on the left of the screen). I would ask them to choose a colour or assign them a different colour to write. If they are up to five participants, I think you could separate the screen into five using the line tool, so that they all know where they are supposed to write. If they are more, you could open two or more screens to write or you could have them writing prompts in turn.
It could be a bit messy to organize, specially if participants don´t have enough experience in using the virtual classroom, but it is worth to give it a try.
Let me know if this was useful or more like what you were looking for and I would love to participate if you are planning on giving a Public class.

Hi Linda, After reading about them I think that´s a good idea to work with writing. I think this could be done on WizIQ by giving the online participants writing privileges (this means they can all write on the whiteboard using the tools on the left of the screen). I would ask them to choose a colour or assign them a different colour to write. If they are up to five participants, I think you could separate the screen into five using the line tool, so that they all know where they are supposed to write. If they are more, you could open two or more screens to write or you could have them writing prompts in turn. It could be a bit messy to organize, specially if participants don´t have enough experience in using the virtual classroom, but it is worth to give it a try. Let me know if this was useful or more like what you were looking for and I would love to participate if you are planning on giving a Public class.

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