Applying Active Learning: Using Writing to Teach in Any Discipline (Spring 2021)

Research has shown that, when students write more in a course, they learn course content more effectively and engage more deeply with the material. At UW–Madison, many faculty and instructors across the disciplines have taken up this approach by making writing central to their courses. But this approach only works when assignments are well designed and meaningful. Join the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program to learn how to use writing to promote students’ active learning, while maximizing your own time!

In addition to going in-depth on using writing to teach in your discipline, this course will also have a strong emphasis on writing assessment. Assessment can often be one of the most challenging aspects of using writing in your course. We will spend time talking about a variety of assessment practices and exploring alternative means of assessment that focus on equity in the classroom.

Participants in the course use what they learn to design a final writing assignment for a current course they are teaching or one that hope to teach in the future. This will be a great addition to your teaching portfolio when you apply for a faculty position, and you’ll leave the course better equipped to use writing to teach and help students learn in any discipline.