Teaching Writing Online:How &Why

By Scott WarnockProfessor at Drexel University

The Author, Scott WarnockPhD from Temple University

Director of the Freshman Writing Program at Drexel University

Hired in 2004 to create an online writing program.

In the introduction, Warnock quotes Nietzsche: “If you have your why for life, then you can get along with almost any how.”

This quote refers to the subtitle for the book because the author often repeats that the “why” of your teaching should proceed the “how” of your teaching.

For me, this means placing pedagogy before technology.

Warnock notes, “find points were pedagogy and technology meet and develop tasks that facilitate such a union.”

Discussion Boards are a good example of how technology serves the writing teacher at the intersection of student centered learning and technology.

Chapter 1: Developing Your Online Personality

Warnock says that much like your f2f persona, you also develop an online teaching persona. He encourages all new online teachers to think about what “type” of teacher they would like to be online.

Some personas to avoid: unapproachable sage, apathetic drone, chum, fool, harsh critic.

Have an icebreaker

Much like we did in this class, Warnock encourages the online writing teacher to welcome the students to class and have them introduce themselves.

He includes his sample welcome to the students, so the reader can see his teaching persona and what topics he is asking the student to refer to when introducing themselves.

In the text, Warnock is having students submit their introductions in discussion boards on a CMS (course management system) such as Blackboard.

Chapter 2:Online or Hybrid?

The author is a fan of HYBRID courses, especially for teachers new to online teaching. He argues that the move to online teaching is best done gradually.

Also, Warnock notes that freshman are also better served by a hybrid class as an introduction to a fully online class. He made this decision after comparing the 8% drop rate of his onsite class to the 44% drop rate for his online freshman composition class.

The Importance of Communication

Teaching online requires a rethinking of your communication style.

If you are a teacher with a big personality, some of your affect maybe lost in an online class.

If you are a teacher who pulls students aside for added help, this type of communication requires more foresight in a online environment.

Chapter 3: Tech Tools & Strategies: Use Only What You Need

Some relief from the high tech for newbies like me!

Warnock says, “Don’t be any more complicated technologically than you have to be. The foundation of your class, even in the most high tech environment, is still your own personal teaching ability and imagination.”

Avoid technology overload

Warnock recommends what could be paraphrased as “Keep it simple, Stupid.” He tells the new online teacher to use the predesigned tools, such as Blackboard as much as possible and adapt the management system to the course outcomes.