Post on 08-Apr-2017
“Shut up and write!” Making academic writing social
Student Education Conference and Digital Festival – “Evidencing Excellence” ,University of Leeds, 8 January 2016, Parallel Session 10, 10.40-11.10
Anna Seabourne
Procrastination
Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham, title: "The Neurobiology of Writing" - originally published 7/28/2014
Isolation
Distraction
title: "The Neurobiology of Writing" - originally published 7/28/2014
Distraction
title: "The Neurobiology of Writing" - originally published 7/28/2014
Academic Writing Month#acwri
Timings20 mins social: intros, writing goals, set up 25 mins writing 5 mins silent break, no talking in the room25 mins writing20 mins social break25 mins writing 5 mins silent break, no talking in the room25 mins writing20 mins social: follow-up, feedback, discuss
Shut up and write! photos
Shut up and write! photos
Keeping track
Shut up and write! Skills@Library
10 sessions in summer for 137 students7 sessions in first term for 94 students
3 hours
Flat room, tables with 4 people per table
Procrastination: student voices
Excellent method of time management.
The Pomodoro technique was new to me.
[taught] us about how to arrange time.
Made me understand the technique I can use to study. I was able to start working and set my
writing objectives.
Distraction: student voicesGood technique to really concentrate.
Keeping concentration for a prolonged period. Concentration and focus on target.
Enabled me to focus properly. Helped me aware of how I can concentrate.
Concentration for 25 minutes helped me.
Once you write down your own ideas it helps us to read. It teaches how to concentrate on your work
without distraction.
I can concentrate through the workshop and thinking deeply. It helps me start my first essay! Shut down
mobile phone is really useful!
Peer pressure, peer support…since there were so many people around me, I didn’t try
to go on FB
Forced to produce your own work.
Forcing me to put the technique into practice.
The environment worked for me, kept me focus and less distracted.
I actually managed to start writing my assignment. I am now much more confident that I actually can write.
Superb happy.
It was a really nice experience. Thumbs up!
Isolation?
Student requestsMore tips on how to reduce distractions.
Writting for scientific papers… (sic)
Discuss additional techniques at the beginning.
Maybe some background music.
A regular, perhaps weekly session of this would
be excellent.
Shut up and read! (with shorter breaks…)
Met expectations?
Com-pletely47%
Mostly47%
Partially6%
Managing expectationsI thought I could get tips and tricks in creating and essay, but suddenly its
practical.
A more accurate description of the workshop to know what to expect.
Thought more guidance about how to focus/write would be included.
Not what expected. Great structure. Greatly inc. understanding.
Did you learn something that will improve the way you work?
To what extent has the workshop increased your understanding of this area?42 Greatly53 Quite a lot12 Partially3 Not at all How happy were you with the content and delivery of the workshop?72 Completely39 Mostly2 Partially Learned something that will improve the way you work? 96 Yes4 No To what extent has the workshop increased your understanding of this area?28 Greatly22 Quite a lot12 Partially3 Not at all How happy were you with the content and delivery of the workshop?43 Completely22 Mostly2 Partially Learned something that will improve the way you work?65 Yes1 No
97% “Yes”
Increased understanding?
Greatly40%
Quite a lot43%
Par-tially14%
Not at all3%
Tools• Timers and clock (online, app, 3D)• Pen and paper• Skype (Blackboard Collaborate?)• Extension cables• Refreshments!
Running your own sessions – top tips!
• Manage expectations• Discipline - deal with drifters• Facilitate peer support
– Set goals on each table– Final feedback to plenary
• ‘Today’ list• ‘Quick write’• Writing meditation
Student run session
Questions?
a.e.seabourne@leeds.ac.uk
twitter.com/lucubrat
1. Something you found useful (or not!)
2. Something you will use3. Something you want to know more
about [Your name]
Thank you!
End