Presented at #REALize15, January 24, 2015

1. A digital
writing
assignment
for EAP
students
Tyson Seburn
About.me/
seburnt

2. .background.

3. Students can write a paper that effectively argues a point
supported by evidence from multiple reliable sources.
.course aim.

4. .obstacles.

5. • Lack of complex topical background knowledge
• Unfamiliarity with conventional essay structure
• Difficulty building connections between texts
• Referencing issues cause plagiarism
• Inadequate use of evidence
• Rigid use of taught strategies
• Boring, but necessary evil
.obstacles.

6. • Reduce topical complexity / personalise
• Spread into scaffolded steps
• Incorporate digital tools
• Work alongside students and model actions
• Give timely personalised feedback
• Learn through doing
.solution.

7. .term writing project.

8. .step 1.
Gathering information
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances

9. .step 2.
Building connections
Instructions
for students

11. Condos

12. What could I learn about?
Condos

13. • How many condos are under construction in
Toronto right now?
• What percentage of Torontonians live in condos
compared to houses?
• Are there any condo-related issues that occur
with certain developers?
• What benefits and detriments are created for the
city through further condo development?
What could I learn about?
Condos

14. .step 2.
Building connections
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances

15. .step 3.
Accessing & evaluating information
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances

16. .step 4.
Outlining & annotating
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances
Real-time feedback
http://bit.ly/1xdjcqU
Google docs
- Suggesting function
- Commenting function

17. .step 4. Outlining & annotating
Real-time feedback
http://bit.ly/1xdjcqU

18. .step 5.
Drafting & revising
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances
Linking in final product
http://fourc.ca/toronto1/
Drafting & modeling in
Google Docs & Vocaroo
http://bit.ly/1xdhcis
Explanation
http://fourc.ca/toronto2/

19. .step 5. Drafting & revising
Drafting & modeling in
Google Docs & Vocaroo
http://bit.ly/1xdhcis

20. .step 6.
Reflecting
Instructions
for students
Mimicking of
the writing
process
Checks and
balances
http://fourc.ca/toronto2/
What did you learn about yourself
during this process?

21. .our timeline.
1 32 weeks 2 3 1
Step 1
Gathering
information
Step 2
Building
connections
Step 3
Accessing &
evaluating
information
Step 4
Outlining &
annotating
Step 5
Writing
Step 6
Reflecting

22. A digital
writing
assignment
for EAP
students
Tyson Seburn
about.me/
seburnt
Model blog
essay
fourc.ca/
toronto1
My reflection
on this model
essay purpose
fourc.ca/
toronto2/
Sample Step 4
bit.ly/1xdjcqU
Sample Step 5
Vocaroo
vocaroo.com
Assignment
documents
bit.ly/
nyosawa
bit.ly/1xdhcis