Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Teaching, Assessing and Improving Writing

• Unit Code

  LAN5000

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit examines the nature and function of writing in school and society, and deals with current theory and practice for the teaching of writing. Critical evaluation of research literature in the area will be undertaken, with attention both to theory and to teaching practice. Teachers will apply their knowledge in practical contexts, with some scope for specialisation in specific areas of interest.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and control of relevant functions and conventions of written language.
2. Describe and evaluate theories and practices in writing pedagogy.
3. Develop and apply criteria for the planning, teaching and assessment of writing.
4. Diagnose and improve student writing.
5. Identify and respond to content, form and style in student writing.
6. Select and implement effective practices for teaching writing, tailored to different learners and curriculum contexts.
7. Use and demonstrate relevant technologies for writing instruction.

Unit Content

1. Conventions of written language: syntax, spelling, punctuation, coherence, cohesion.
2. Debates and issues: discovery versus training; process versus genre; imitation versus invention.
3. Developing instructional plans for specific learners and curriculum contexts.
4. Diagnosing and improving student writing: structure, content, form, usage.
5. History and development of writing.
6. Instructional techniques: modelling, demonstration, patterning and drill, reformulation.
7. Responding to student writing: aims and methods.
8. Technology in writing: composition on page and screen.
9. The future of writing -developments in schools and society.
10. The place of writing in the curriculum: forms and functions; learning area writing.
11. Theories of writing instruction: developmental, communicative, expressive, rhetorical, procedural, linguistic.
12. Unit content will be selected from the following topics to reflect the background and different needs of primary, early years and secondary teachers at the Masters level.
13. Writing and copyright.
14. Writing as literary practice: form, style and voice; concepts of authorship; deconstruction.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshops, practical experiences, video, on-line discussion.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Harris, P., McKenzie, B., Fitzsimmons, P., & Turbill, J. (2003). Writing in the primary school years. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press.
• Anderson, J. (2011). 10 things every writer needs to know. Portland, Me: Stenhouse Publishers
• Corbett, P. & Strong, J. (2011). Talk for writing across the curriculum: How to teach non-fiction writing to 5-12 year olds. Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press
• Fisher, R., Larkin, S. Jones, S.J. & Myhill, D. (2010). Using talk to support writing. Los Angeles: Sage
• Rijlaarsdam, G., van den Bergh, H. & Couzijin, M. (Eds.) Effective Learning and Teaching of Writing. A Handbook of Writing in Education (2004). 2nd New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Lankshear, C., Snyder, I., & Green, B. (2000). Teachers and technoliteracy: Managing literacy, technology and learning in schools. Sydney, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• MacArthur, C.A., Graham, S. & Fitzgerald, J. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of writing research New York: Guilford Press
• Olness, R. (2005). Using literature to enhance writing instruction. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
• Peterson, S. (Ed.). (2003). Untangling some knots in K-8 writing instruction. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
• Knapp, P. & Watkins, M. (2005). Genre, text, grammar: Technologies for teaching and assessing writing. Sydney: UNSW Press

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