The WAC Project
Nottingham Trent University
Rebecca Bell and Ed Foster
Overview A lecturer's perspective The WAC project Writing activities to try
Writing Across the Curriculum: an overview
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) involves using writing as a tool to develop learning. Whilst most courses already include writing for assessment purposes, the WAC approach uses writing based activities to not only help students learn but also to help students learn to write in their discipline. Consequently, the approach consists of two strands: Writing to Learn (WTL) and Writing in the Disciplines (WID). Writing To Learn uses informal, generic, short writing tasks, to help students structure their thoughts and ideas. Such activities are often undertaken in the early part of a course, enabling students to identify key theories and grasp difficult concepts. These activities tend to be short and impromptu. Writing in the Disciplines uses writing activities to teach students the discipline specifics of writing in their field. The WID approach uses discipline focused activities to develop students’ writing so that they are able to communicate as a scholar in their field. This is a latter stage in the WAC approach and tends to be undertaken mainly in the 2nd or 3rd year of a program.
What does the project involve?
In 2008-09 Nottingham Trent University is offering academics, resources and support to be able to develop academic writing in their sessions. Whether you would like to run a full WAC programme, deliver a few impromptu activities or simply incorporate more writing into your sessions then this is for you. It is envisaged that those interested in the project will meet once a term to discuss, trial and develop writing activities. The group will be supported by staff from the CASQ Quality Enhancement team who will facilitate meetings and offer resources, ideas and support to the group. There is a whole raft of WAC literature, activities and ideas currently being used by academics all over the world to great effect. So, if you would like to get involved, or just find out more, then drop me an e mail at
rebecca.bell@ntu.ac.uk
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. Check this page for future information, events and resources related to the project.
Some of the information used in this piece is informed by the WAC Clearinghouse website http://wac.colostate.edu/.
A lecturer's perspective
WAC project meetings
February 2009 meeting
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February Meeting notes and feedback
Writing activities to try
Below are a list of short in-session writing activities that staff at NTU have trialled. Please feel free to use them with your students and let us know how you get on.
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