Writing Center/Library Collaboration for Student Achievement

by Julie Poole and Andrea StanfieldCOMO - October 17, 2008

Objectives

- Briefly report on previous developments in this area of study

-  Discuss advantages/challenges of writing center/library collaborations

- Discuss how to measure outcomes quantitatively in terms of student retention, return of investment, student success

- Brainstorm best practices and ideas for an immediately usable collaboration format/workshop/etc. - Discuss possibilities for sharing past and current collaborations and outcomes

Previous Developments & Collaborations

 

Sharing Space• Allows opportunity for presence at one another’s meetings• Referrals are easier• Opportunity to share resources – handouts and computers• Sharing virtual space

Previous Developments & Collaborations (cont’d)

 

Sharing Space – Examples

Mount Union College Information & Literacy Center – Information Literacy Studio

University of Kansas – Writing Center Satellites

Eastern Michigan University – Academic Projects Center

Previous Developments & Collaborations (cont’d)

Cross-training 

• Ensuring knowledge of purposes and goals of each department

 • Creating consistency in services provided by and between

departments

• Tutor-training often focuses on interaction with students which may help with referrals

Previous Developments & Collaborations (cont’d)

Cross-training – Examples

Colorado College – Librarian trained as writing tutor works regularly in

writing center.

University of New Hampshire at Manchester –Effort to ensure peer tutors understood basics of

academic research and information literacy (White & Pobywajilo)

Georgia Perimeter College/Lawrenceville –Librarians and library staff attended Learning & Tutoring Center training

Previous Developments & Collaborations (cont’d)

Providing Joint Services 

• Presenting collaborative workshops • Working in classrooms with writing lab staff, instructors, and

librarians

• Sharing handouts and making referrals

Previous Developments & Collaborations (cont’d)

Providing Joint Services - Examples 

o University of Washington, Bothell - A decade of collaboration (Leadley & Rosenberg)

 o Rutgers - Presenting research & writing as a "single,

interlocking process" (Tipton & Bender) 

o University of Louisville - Librarians as instructional consultants (Yohannes & Johnson article)

Advantages of working together

Keeps Library & Writing Center Visible and Relevant

• Presents team-player image to administration• Increases collaboration with faculty for both departments• Increases status/stature of writing center and library professionals• Provides opportunity to share resources• Creates seamless delivery of services – “One Stop Shop”

   

Advantages of working together (cont’d)

Promotes Student Success & Retention• Similar pedagogy between units leads to more active learners • Similar pedagogy lends itself to working toward same goals• Gives librarians and writing tutors understanding of where their

pedagogy & goals crossover, making it easier to help students see the big picture and "seek meaning rather than the right answer" (Hook) 

 •  Collaboration between departments creates a learning community for

students •  Collaborative efforts can create ways to reach at-risk and non-

traditional students, which promotes student retention

Challenges of working together

• Inconsistencies w/technologies, missions, goals 

• Loss of controloLibrariansoFacultyoWriting Tutors

• Time restraints and work load

Challenges of working together        (cont'd)

 • Geographical distance if not part of a

learning commons model • Space constraints• Lack of administrative support • Costs• If collaboration is not embedded as part of

both departments, the collaboration may be fleeting at best (Currie & Eodice)

Measuring Outcomes

 • Grades / passing standardized writing tests

 • In-class assessments such as the one minute

paper, muddiest point, etc. (Stewart) 

• Improvement of grades/writing skills (must include faculty/course instructors in evaluative process)

 •  Sharing of assessment outcomes with students to

show them their own successes/failures

Brainstorming Session

• Have you collaborated with your writing center?• What assessment methods do you use to assess writing and

research skills?• What types of collaborations seem the most feasible?• What types of collaborations seem to be the most helpful for

students?• Sustainability - what efforts can be made to ensure continuation of

collaboration after key players move on?• Are there artificial academic boundaries created within institutions

(budgets, departments, other)?  If so, how can they be removed or blurred?  Are there any boundaries that are necessary to maintain? 

• How can faculty be a part of this collaboration?  Is it possible to collaborate effectively without faculty involvement?

• Is it better to implement these types of projects from the bottom up or from the top down?

Ongoing Project

 Possibilities for sharing: Working Bibliography – add citations/links to it • Wiki, google pages, google groups, listserv, blog, facebook,

etc. • Which would you prefer??

  

Questions??

 Anything else you would like to add or see us add to the presentation? Anything we missed?  

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.    

THANK YOU FOR COMING!