English 202C Redesign

Posted on February 23, 2009 
Filed Under Blogs at PSU, Engagement Initiative

ETS is working with Dr. Stuart Selber to redesign English 202C. Our goal is to ensure that Penn State’s composition program be brought into the 21st Century. In the past, very little technology has been used beyond word processing. Currently, the six paper assignments in the course are disconnected. They neither build upon each other nor allow for the application of composition principles that are discussed throughout the course. Faculty who teach these courses realized that the current format was not preparing students for working in the Digital Age. Employers expect their employees to be able to do more than submit paper reports.

The English 202 faculty would like to transform the course to a digital format. This will involve publishing student assignments online through students’ personal Web space, making multimedia versions of certain assignments, and having students work in teams.

As of Spring 2009, we are piloting a new course design in eight sections of English 202C. In these sections, we have updated five of the traditional paper assignments to a digital format. Early reports from the instructors indicate that while the students need additional help learning the blogging platform, they are getting more out of their experience and the assignments are “much more rich than in the way the course was previously taught.” If all goes well, the redesigned course will be implemented in all sections of English 202C in Fall 2009.

In addition to the redesign, ETS will assist with obtaining the technology required for successful implementation of the pilot project. We are working to integrate both the Blogs at Penn State and Digital Commons into this and future English courses. This project has started with a focus on English 202C with the intention of making similar changes in English 202A, B, and D, as well as English 15 and 30.

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