Getting It Write the First Getting It Write the First Time:Time:

Incorporating On-the-Fly Incorporating On-the-Fly Writing into CourseworkWriting into Coursework

Faculty Learning SeriesFaculty Learning Series

College of EngineeringCollege of Engineering

Bucknell UniversityBucknell University

March 28, 2008March 28, 2008

David KelleyDavid KelleyElectrical Engineering Electrical Engineering

Dept.Dept.

“Sofit” and“Facia”

From: F. Caimi, “iMAT – Revolutionary Antenna Technology from SkyCross,” Antenna Systems & Technology, March/April 2008,pp. 14-16.

The Curmudgeon Asks…The Curmudgeon Asks…

Does anyone employ editors anymore?Does anyone employ editors anymore? Do editors still know how to edit?Do editors still know how to edit? Do grammar, organization, punctuation, Do grammar, organization, punctuation,

clarity, and style still matter?clarity, and style still matter?

““As long as information is transmitted As long as information is transmitted efficiently, who cares if it isn’t pretty?”efficiently, who cares if it isn’t pretty?”

Revise?...NoRevise?...No

E-mailE-mail Lab notebooksLab notebooks Weekly progress reportsWeekly progress reports Computer code documentationComputer code documentation ““Surprise” updatesSurprise” updates Quick-response opportunitiesQuick-response opportunities

Why Not Revise?Why Not Revise?

Not enough timeNot enough time No second pair of eyesNo second pair of eyes

TimeTime ExpertiseExpertise

Not cost-effectiveNot cost-effective Cost not accounted forCost not accounted for

Discussion #1Discussion #1

There’s no time to revise the “little” There’s no time to revise the “little” things, and everyone knows it.things, and everyone knows it.

Can I get away with a few mistakes Can I get away with a few mistakes here or there?here or there?

Exercises in On-The-Fly Exercises in On-The-Fly WritingWriting

Lab notebooksLab notebooks Project progress reportsProject progress reports JournalsJournals Two-minute paperTwo-minute paper Commenting computer code and/or Commenting computer code and/or

homeworkhomework

Example: Lab NotebooksExample: Lab Notebooks

Focus is on clarity over Focus is on clarity over grammar/spellinggrammar/spelling

Simulates industry practiceSimulates industry practice All entries made during lab periodAll entries made during lab period Notebooks collected at end of labNotebooks collected at end of lab No corrections possible after labNo corrections possible after lab Downside: Less time for lab exercise Downside: Less time for lab exercise

itselfitself

Notebook Grading (0-4 Notebook Grading (0-4 pts)pts)

00 few or no notebook entriesfew or no notebook entries

11 minimal data; most key elements (such as dates, minimal data; most key elements (such as dates, figures, references) missing/poorly documented; a figures, references) missing/poorly documented; a competent engineer competent engineer could not repeat resultscould not repeat results using using notebook as his/her only guidenotebook as his/her only guide

22 fair; significant quantities of data and/or many key fair; significant quantities of data and/or many key elements missing/poorly documented; results would elements missing/poorly documented; results would be be repeatable but with considerable difficultyrepeatable but with considerable difficulty

33 good; close adherence to guidelines, but one or two good; close adherence to guidelines, but one or two key elements or data missing/poorly documented; key elements or data missing/poorly documented; results would be results would be repeatable with minor difficultyrepeatable with minor difficulty

44 very close adherence to guidelines; no key elements very close adherence to guidelines; no key elements or data missing; proper documentation; good or data missing; proper documentation; good discussion of implications; discussion of implications; truly professional worktruly professional work

Does It Work?Does It Work?

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Week No.

Ave

rag

e S

core

ELEC 350 – Fall 2005

Keys to Success?Keys to Success?

Good feedbackGood feedback Lots of commentsLots of comments Prompt gradingPrompt grading

Address common mistakesAddress common mistakes List of specific errorsList of specific errors Large penaltiesLarge penalties

Discussion #2Discussion #2

What other “on-the-fly” exercises can

you think of or have you tried?

Other IdeasOther Ideas

Collect examples of bad writing:Collect examples of bad writing: Ad copyAd copy ResumesResumes Professional literatureProfessional literature

Solicit opinions on importance of Solicit opinions on importance of writing from managers, CEOs, etc. in writing from managers, CEOs, etc. in the “real world.”the “real world.”

Collect anecdotes:Collect anecdotes: Ill-chosen wordsIll-chosen words ConsequencesConsequences