Presentation/Proposal Title

Influence of warm and positive interactions on students’ sense of belonging and overall experience in the writing center

Type of Presentation/Proposal

Other

Start Date

6-4-2019 11:15 AM

End Date

6-4-2019 12:15 PM

Keywords

student experience, sense of belonging, writing center

Description

A writing center is much more than a facility where students receive tutoring. In our writing center we also assist students in navigating our department and direct them to essential services provided by the University. In this multi-faceted environment, we rely on professionalism and consistency in the execution of administrative functions, and in particular the services we provide to students. We match tutors and students based on their course, and at times personality to ensure students are comfortable with their tutors. As manager of one of the writing centers, I recognized early on how critical it is, especially for first year students, to feel a sense of belonging to support a smooth transition to college life. I theorized that addressing these factors would allow students to focus on working to strengthen their critical analysis and writing skills. To this end, I stress the significance of consistency and warm and positive student interactions to my staff and tutors. This gives students the perception of a smooth flight which allows them to focus on the primary reason they enrolled in tutoring—to work on their writing.

It is in the pursuit of elevating the student experience, of soaring to greater heights, while at the same time adapting to accommodate growth of the student population which prompt this proposal to conduct a café style ideas exchange. I believe this format will encourage an open dialogue among writing center administrators. In small groups, we can discuss best practices, lessons learned, and together collaborate on innovative ways to evolve organically in response to growth and continue to serve our students in a manner which evokes images of smooth and effortless flight.

Comments

It is my intention to build a Google document during the session to share with participants after the ideas exchange. Equipment I will need to accomplish this is an internet connection and projection equipment for my Mac.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 6th, 11:15 AM Apr 6th, 12:15 PM

Influence of warm and positive interactions on students’ sense of belonging and overall experience in the writing center

M2225

A writing center is much more than a facility where students receive tutoring. In our writing center we also assist students in navigating our department and direct them to essential services provided by the University. In this multi-faceted environment, we rely on professionalism and consistency in the execution of administrative functions, and in particular the services we provide to students. We match tutors and students based on their course, and at times personality to ensure students are comfortable with their tutors. As manager of one of the writing centers, I recognized early on how critical it is, especially for first year students, to feel a sense of belonging to support a smooth transition to college life. I theorized that addressing these factors would allow students to focus on working to strengthen their critical analysis and writing skills. To this end, I stress the significance of consistency and warm and positive student interactions to my staff and tutors. This gives students the perception of a smooth flight which allows them to focus on the primary reason they enrolled in tutoring—to work on their writing.

It is in the pursuit of elevating the student experience, of soaring to greater heights, while at the same time adapting to accommodate growth of the student population which prompt this proposal to conduct a café style ideas exchange. I believe this format will encourage an open dialogue among writing center administrators. In small groups, we can discuss best practices, lessons learned, and together collaborate on innovative ways to evolve organically in response to growth and continue to serve our students in a manner which evokes images of smooth and effortless flight.