'Not-So-Invisible Mending': Developing Editing Skills in Large Online Classes through Visible Labour
Article
Article Title | 'Not-So-Invisible Mending': Developing Editing Skills in Large Online Classes through Visible Labour |
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Article Category | Article |
Authors | Wise, Beck (Author), Van Luyn, Ariella (Author) and Cantrell, Kate (Author) |
Journal Title | Research in Online Literacy Education |
Journal Citation | 3 (1) |
Year | 2020 |
Place of Publication | United States |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.roleolor.org/ldquonot-so-invisible-mendingrdquo-developing-editing-skills-in-large-online-classes-through-visible-labour.html |
Abstract | To learn to work as editors, students must develop a diverse set of practical and metacognitive skills that far exceed proofreading strategies; however, teaching these is challenging because, as Tuffield (2015) and Johanson (2006) note, editing is a largely invisible practice. This challenge is amplified in an online context, where students work remotely and asynchronously, further concealing the labour involved in producing an edited text—and further amplified in the large, low-touch classes characteristic of Australian writing programs. In this paper, we assess the development and implementation of a vocationally-focussed editing class at an online university in Australia, and argue that by foregrounding metacognition and reflection while working with “live” texts (Dunbar 2017), instructors can effectively support the development of editing skills in large classes. However, implementing regular, low-stakes learning activities and focussing on metacognition challenged students’ existing study practices, while the learning management system (LMS) did not always support such pedagogical strategies. We offer potential solutions—including managing student expectations, offering flexible timelines, and working against the grain of the LMS—for other instructors developing editing classes intended to support diverse students in large online courses. |
Keywords | creative writing instruction, editing, proofreading, online learning, online literacy, online pedagogy |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390107. Humanities and social sciences curriculum and pedagogy (excl. economics, business and management) |
369999. Other creative arts and writing not elsewhere classified | |
390303. Higher education | |
360201. Creative writing (incl. scriptwriting) | |
390101. Creative arts, media and communication curriculum and pedagogy | |
Byline Affiliations | University of Queensland |
University of New England | |
University of Southern Queensland | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5x91/-not-so-invisible-mending-developing-editing-skills-in-large-online-classes-through-visible-labour
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