Using Online Studio Groups to Improve Writing Competency: A Pilot Study in a Quality Improvement Methods Course |
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| Authors: | Jamison V Kovach Michelle Miley Miguel A Ramos |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Information and Logistics Technology, College of Technology, University of Houston, 312 Technology Building, Houston, TX 77204, e‐mail: jvkovach@uh.edu;2. Writing Center, University of Houston, 217 Agnes Arnold Hall, Houston, TX 77204‐3059, e‐mail: mmiley@uh.edu;3. College of Technology, University of Houston, 300 Technology Building, Houston, TX 77204, e‐mail: maramos3@central.uh.edu |
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| Abstract: | Communication skills are a significant contributor to an individual's success in the workplace. Unfortunately, students often have trouble expressing their ideas in written form and the poor quality of students’ written work often impedes the learning process. This pilot study investigates the use of online writing studios within a quality improvement methods course and the impact of this intervention on students’ writing competency and perceptions about the writing process. The impact of this approach on student performance is evaluated within and across semesters using comparative statistical analyses. Results show that students who participated in online writing studios performed better (i.e., at least one rubric level higher) on their final written assignments for the course compared to students who did not, and that this approach is associated with improved students’ perceptions about the writing process. This research suggests that the use of online writing studios within a content‐specific course can incrementally improve students’ writing competency over the course of one semester, and can positively affect the learning of written communication skills and change students’ perceptions about various aspects of the writing process. |
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| Keywords: | Online Collaboration Online Writing Studios Quality Improvement Methods Rubrics Writing in the Disciplines |
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