ASWC Writing Matters: Virtual Institute

Friday, May 1, 2009

Grades and Transcripts--Updated

Thanks again for all the discussion online. I felt this was a particularly rich class because of all of you.

Here is an update from the ASWC administrator:

Thank you for attending the Alaska State Writing Consortium Writing Matters! online institute. As you know, this ASWC institute is designed to help teachers create a balanced writing program. Writing Matters! is also the spring board to our annual Summer Invitational Institute, a five-credit on-site workshop that we hope you will consider applying for next summer. If your district is an ASWC member, one person is chosen each year to attend the Summer Invitational Institute. Upon successful completion of the Summer Invitational, each participant is given a $1000 stipend. Travel scholarships are also available for teachers who must live away from home to attend. Please check our website around Christmas time for more details because the slots do fill up fast. Next summer's invitational location will be in either Juneau or Anchorage.

All of the grades were sent in on May 6, 2009. Normally, it takes approximately two weeks to process the grades after they have been submitted and have them officially recorded by the university, so that you may order a transcript if you need one.

Transcripts: Unfortunately, the University of Alaska no longer sends out automatic transcripts. If you wish to have an official transcript, there is a fee. To order an official transcript, please go to this link for the form and all pertinent information: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/registrar/transcripts.html

Course Title: ASWC: Writing Matters! A Virtual Institute
Course #: S593
Section: J54
Course reference #: 51494
Three Credits

We applaud your efforts in taking a professional development course because we know how precious time is in the life of every teacher. We hope this online format helped ease the difficulty every teacher feels trying to balance his or her professional and personal life.

We hope you will seriously consider applying to attend next summers Invitational Insitute. If you have any specific questions about the institute, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Gray, Program Director
Alaska State Writing Consortium
~A National Writing Project Site~
Phone and fax: 907-776-5220
http://www.alaskastatewritingconsortium.org/

All grades have been posted, and you should have received a final personal email from me. Let me know if you did not, and I will resend. You may request transcripts through the University of Alaska online. Your transcript is supposed to be current within two weeks.
Have a great summer!

Open Forum

Let's keep the conversations alive!

Use this as a place to continue posting and keeping your connection with others alive. The blog is staying here until you no longer use it.
Post anything you wish here...(even personal writing this summer.)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Implementation Paper

Greetings--This is the spot to post your implementation paper! The last weeks have been exciting reading posts. If you have problems, just email me a copy by April 30 when I will turn in grades.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Week 8 : THE End!

I can't believe the time has passed so quickly. This is your last week of formal assignments and working on the blog even though you do not have to turn your Implementation paper in until April 30. Be sure and note I have set up places for you to post your writing (memoir or other) and a sample of writing from one of your students here on the blog.

The topic this week for technology. I have posted two articles in your assignment section for you to consider. You have also been exposed to a bit of technology by taking an online virtual and creating a virtual tour. Some of you have started your own blogs. I am interested in how you see technology working positively in your classes.

Consider: How do you use technology in your teaching? What is meaningful integration of technology?
Reflect: What have you found valuable about Writing Matters? Post a reflection on your role as a writer in this online class.

Looking ahead: Next week you will be asked to fill out a formal evaluation for the class and post your Implementation Paper. I am hoping you all finish strong.

Share and discuss student writing samples

Post an anonymous piece of student writing here. You might chose a piece that you would like others to help you with or one that you would like others to read because it is so good. Also include the following:

grade of student and any other helpful information
an explanation of your criteria for the assignment
the method you use(d) in evaluating the writing
any special considerations or questions you would like others to comment on
at least one comment on a piece of student one of your classmates has posted

Final Memoir, Poem or Group Book....

Share your final product here!

Unfortunately, you cannot attach a document so you will have to cut and paste it in the text box. I am looking forward to reading your work. Due date is Monday 4/20, but I will accept postings until Wednesday 4/22.

If you have emailed your final to me, please post it here as well so everyone can read it.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

About the reading....Week 7 April 13-20

The discussions were particularly rich last week. Maybe you are all inspired by testing! Continued your conversations about the Six Traits,assessments, and grading practices. Consider posting a writing/project rubric, idea for approach to grading, or a successful strategy for responding to student work. Share what works for you.

Thinking ahead....We will save our online discussion of student work until next week. Be thinking of a piece of student writing you might like to share with the class for discussion or guidance. Next week, each of you will post a anonymous piece of student writing including an explanation of your criteria for the assignment and the method of evaluating that piece. If you have a rubric, include that.