Academic Writing Units in STEPS at CQUniversity
Explore the academic writing units in STEPS at CQUniversity, designed for students interested in health, science, and engineering. Delve into engaging content covering topics like health, science, and technology, with interactive activities and skills embedded. Discover four modules with diverse weekly topics, along with sections on discussion, technical writing skills, language points, and assessment steps. Engage in creative writing tasks such as writing instructions, experimental reports, and more to enhance academic literacies and communication skills.
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Presentation Transcript
Chris Cook STEPS Head of Program, CQUniversity
One of two academic writing units in STEPS Designed for students intending to study health, science or engineering On-campus and distance study options
First developed in 2012 Generic content, except for report topic options Changes made to assessment tasks in 2013 SAF funding to develop new content in 2014
Engaging content with topics on health, science and technology Incorporate activities that facilitate social interactions Embed skills within topics of interest for students
Four modules Each module three weeks in duration with different topic each week, e.g. alternative medicine, exo-suits, energy, gizmos
Four sections: 1. Discussion think, write and share 2. Technical Writing Skills analyse technical text types 3. Language Points vocabulary, grammar, punctuation in context of topic 4. Assessment Step scaffolded application of knowledge and skills to assessment tasks
1. Write a set of instructions Students choose an activity they are familiar with (use students existing knowledge) Seek permission for activity (check engagement) Test on others (social interaction) Academic Literacies Follow explicit format Consider audience and purpose Write concisely and consistently using a formal and objective tone Incorporate figures into a document according to the conventions required by CQUniversity
2. Write an Experimental (lab) Report Students choose simple experiment from options and add variable(s) Scaffolded data collection (social interaction) Academic Literacies Report writing Builds on academic literacies of previous assessment
3. Write a Recommendation Report Students choose recommendation report topic from options and research Scaffolded information literacy tasks Academic Literacies Builds on academic literacies of previous assessment
Students more engaged Positive feedback from students Improved academic literacies
Lee and Streets (1998) model of academic literacies attempts to recognise: Multiple and conflicting literacy practices Broad communicative repertoires required to switch between genres, fields, disciplines and audience expectations Literacies as social practices at level of epistemology and identity Lea, MR & Street, BV, 1998, Student writing in higher education: an academic literacies approach, Studies in Higher Education, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 157-172.
