The Online Writing Conference: A Guide for Teachers and Tutors

by Beth L. Hewett, Michael Pemberton (Foreword)

Nominated for the International Writing Centers Association (IWCA) Outstanding Book award. The Online Writing A Guide for Teachers and Tutors , is exactly the book that I-and others-have been waiting for. Beth Hewett manages in this brief volume to answer a carload of my questions and alleviate an equal number of my fears. --Michael A. Pemberton
Professor and Director of University Writing Center
Georgia Southern University Composition is going digital. The number of online writing courses in colleges across the country is increasing each year. How do we best teach writing over the Internet? How must our pedagogy change? Beth Hewett provides real and practical answers. After years of online teaching and tutoring, Hewett shares her trade secrets and best practices. Grounded in current theory and research, her approach centers on building relationships, solving problems, and working efficiently. The book's problem-centered instruction uses mini-lessons and clear directions so that teachers and tutors can guide students toward improved writing. Hewett covers a range of core issues, The Online Writing Conference also provides a wealth Whether new or experienced, whether a teacher, tutor, writing program administrator, or writing center director, you will want this book at your side when your computer screen becomes your classroom.

Genres: Academic

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2010

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost feel like the title of this book is a misnomer. Yes, Hewett deals with online writing conferences and provides much insight into the various ways that teachers and tutors might consider responding to students both synchronously and asynchronously within the context of writing tutorials. But this book does so much more than that. Indeed, I would venture it provides useful insight into ways of effectively responding to and working with student writers that go far beyond how you might do so online. I'd recommend it to basically anyone who was looking for assistance providing helpful advice to student writers. It provides a wealth of examples, a variety of strategies, and a smart approach to writing that feels spot on for the digital age in which we are currently conducting it.

[Terri London Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the book is quite academic, but there’s a lot that is practical and actionable, and lots of real world examples. Ex The chapter on indirect vs direct speech alone is excellent and applies to non-composition subjects as well / verbal and synchronous instruction as well as the asynchronous context given here.

And there’s even some practical information on how to write comments visually-speaking, based on research, which if nothing else reassured me that I’m right to spend so much time fussing over such details.

I would still like to find more about synchronous conference instruction, especially for students who left high school without really even knowing how to write an essay at all. But one writing book can’t be all things to everyone.

I haven’t finished reading the study guide provided at the end, but I expect it will be the most useful part—certainly a good reference guide.

[Destiny Brugman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, but it mostly focused on asynchronous online tutoring and teaching whereas I was most excited to read about the synchronous tutoring. It was well written and had a lot of useful information that I know I'll be able to pull from both learning-wise and in bigger discussions at work. It gave me a lot to think about.

[Jessica Geist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter 8 is worth the price of the book. I wish all online instructors of writing read this chapter to help them add some structure to their teaching. Appendix 2 was also a helpful read with it's discussion of direct and indirect speech acts; the insights gained are applicable to both my commenting on student papers and my online tutoring work.

If you're looking for a book with quite a few analyzed samples of both synchronous and asynchronous conferences, this book will also prove to be helpful.

[Jill Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK...not exactly what I was looking for...