Boise State Teaching Scholars

Writing in the Disciplines and Across the Curriculum

Description

Writing and learning are inextricably connected. Students write across their undergraduate years, in a range of courses within Foundational Studies, and they also write within their disciplines as their expertise deepens. Research indicates that we can support students’ development both through using a variety of active and inquiry-based learning approaches and through enhancing students’ meta-awareness of similarities across writing occasions. To better understandhow writing can facilitate learning, we will ask:

  • How can we use writing to deepen students’ disciplinary knowledge?
  • How can we use writing to connect our courses (via Foundational Studies and/or within the major) to build a more cohesive and intentional experience for students?

Participants in this Boise State Teaching Scholar community will explore research on disciplinary writing, the relationship between writing and learning, and how to teach for the transfer of knowledge across courses. Participants will be expected to try some aspects of current practices for teaching writing in their courses in the fall and spring semesters. Cohort members will also observe a fellow participant’s teaching.

This group will be facilitated by Heidi Estrem, Associate Professor, Department of English

Expectations

  • Meetings:

Scholarsparticipating in this group will meet twice a month from August 2015through May 2016. Meetings will be held on Wednesdaysfrom 11:45am-1:30pm.

  • Teaching and Learning Projects:

Each Scholar will conduct ascholarly teacher-research project aimed at advancing understanding of what works to improve student learning with, about, or through writing. Scholars will implement their project during the 2015-2016 academic year, participate in a poster session in Spring 2016, and provide a final report of the outcomes.

  • Peer Observation:

Each Scholar will observe at least one other Teaching Scholar during the year of the community. The goal of the observation is to provide a catalyst for discussion and an opportunity to learn how a faculty member from a different discipline engages students in writing – either as a tool for deepening learning or as a disciplinary practice.

  • Teaching Log

Each scholar will keep a regular teaching log during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Benefits

  • Professional expenses
  • Each Teaching Scholarwill receive up to $500 for professional expenses.
  • Community
  • A major component of the Boise State Teaching Scholars program is to foster community for faculty across disciplines. Regular meetings and opportunities for social interaction are built into the program.

Eligibility

  • Full-time and part-time faculty members who have been teaching at Boise State for at least one year (2 semesters) are eligible to apply for Teaching Scholars positions. Part-time faculty are expected have plans to teach at Boise State during both semesters of the 14-15academic year.
  • Both faculty who have participated in previous Writing Across the Curriculum institutes or workshops as well as those who are new to considering how to teach disciplinary writing are welcome. We especially encourage applications from faculty who teach Communication in the Disciplines, Finishing Foundations, and other courses within the major that are writing-intensive.

Application

  • Your application indicates you can meet the expectations described above.
  • Applications are due to the CTL (ILC 315, MS 1005) by 5pm on April 10, 2015.

Selection and First Meeting

  • The Boise State Teaching Scholars forWriting in the Disciplineswill consist of 6-8 participants.
  • Selections will be announced via email by Friday April 17, 2015.
  • The opening retreat for this group will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015 from 3:00-4:30pm. Please keep this date open in case your application is selected.

Sponsor

The Boise State Teaching Scholars is sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Questions?

Questions can be directed to Thomas Atkins at the Center for Teaching and Learning ( or x6-4610)

Text:

This BSTS group will begin with the following text as a resource, and will draw upon other resources as the interests of the group dictate:

  • Linda Adler-Kassner and Elizabeth Wardle (eds), Naming What We Know: Threshold Concepts of Writing Studies
  • John Bean,Engaging Ideas, 2nd edition

Potential Topics to Explore:

The following is a list of topics this group might explore. It is not exhaustive. The group will determine those topics to be chosen for investigation and discussion by this BSTS community. Additional resources will be provided by the facilitators or will be located by group members.

  • Using writing to connect courses identified under Undergraduate Learning Outcome 1, Written Communication (English 101/102, UF 200, CID, FF)
  • Writing and inquiry-based learning in advanced disciplinary courses
  • Writing and inquiry-based learning in large, introductory, and/or unique courses
  • Writing and transfer
  • Threshold concepts for writing across campus and in disciplines

Writing in the Disciplines and Across the Curriculum

Schedule of Meetings

May
2015 / Opening Retreat Friday, May 8, 2015, 3:00-4:30 pm
Welcome to the Boise State Teaching Scholars
August 2015 / Wednesday, August 26, 2015: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm[1]
September 2015 / Wednesday, September 9, 2015: 11:45am-1:30pm
Wednesday, September 23, 2015: 11:45am-1:30pm
October 2015 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, October 21, 2015: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, October 28, 2015: 11:45 am – 1:30 pm
November 2015 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
December 2015 / Wednesday, December 2, 2015: 11:45 am – 1:30 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2015 – 6:00 pm
Pot-luck Holiday Gathering at Heidi’s house
spouses, SOs, and families invited
January
2016 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, January27, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
February 2016 / Wednesday, February 10, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, February 24, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
March
2016 / Wednesday, March 9, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, March 30, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
April
2016 / Wednesday, April6, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, April 20, 2016: 11:45 am - 1:30 pm
EOY Poster Session / Friday, April 29, 2016: 12:00 – 2pm
End of Year Luncheon and Poster Session

Boise State Teaching Scholars

Writing in the Disciplines and Across the Curriculum

Application for 2015-2016

Please bring or send completed form to:

Center for Teaching and Learning, ILC 315, MS 1005

Submission Deadline: 5pm, Friday, April 10, 2015.

(A selection committee will review all applications and notification will be sent by Friday, April 17, 2015 with the first meeting occurring on Friday, May 8, 2015 from 3:00-4:30 pm in ILC 315)

Name:
Department: / College:
Office Phone: / Email:
Rank:
Total Years Teaching: / Total Years at Boise State:
For Fall 2015, please list the courses you are teaching (with enrollments).
For Spring 2016, please indicate the courses you will likely be teaching, with expected enrollments.
What do you believe you can gain from participating in this faculty learning community?
What perspectives, abilities, and experiences, do you expect you can contribute to this group?
What are your biggest challenges or questions about teaching writing within your discipline or courses?

Applicant’s Signature

I am able to meet twice each month on Wednesday from 11:45am-1:30pm during the Fall 2015and Spring 2016semesters.

YESNO

If I am selected as a participant in this community, I agree to participate fully in the community’s activities, including the associated investigations, readings, projects, and reports. I will participate in sharing the things I learn with faculty outside the community.

______

SignatureDate

Department Chair’s Signature

I endorse the above applicant’s participation in the Boise State Teaching Scholars and will support the implementation of the curricular and pedagogical work completed.

I understand that this community involves a full-year commitment. If the applicant is an adjunct faculty member or a graduate student, I verify the applicant has been teaching at Boise State for at least two semesters and will be teaching at Boise State during Fall 2014and Spring 2015semesters.

I will work to schedule the participant’s teaching commitments to avoid the Wednesday 11:45am-1:30pm time frame.

______

SignatureDate

[1] Participants are welcome to bring lunch to the regular meetings.