NEW POST (reflective commentary)

Basic Writing Theory and Pedagogy was an eye-opening course.  I learned a lot including important theorists and theories on the subject, best pedagogical practices and CUNY’s history with basic writing.  The readings that were assigned were interesting as they explained instructional strategies that have been successful for basic writing students and the reasons for their success.

Two of my favorite aspects about this course were the class discussions and the group work.  Because I am not only new to this program but also new to this field, it was advantageous to listen to my classmates’ experiences.  I have been a teaching assistant, working with Basic English instructors, providing one-on-one tutoring, and teaching basic writing and reading workshops, for the past two and a half years.  However, many of my classmates have been teaching for a lot longer and in different settings where I have only been in one setting.  I looked to them as authorities able to provide practical guidance.

Though I am typically not a fan of group work, I benefited from my group members not only the ones with which I worked on the book club but also the ones I worked with during class.  Working with groups helped me to better understand the subject.  For example, if we were discussing a reading, listening to their opinions and the reasons for these opinions allowed me to understand the reading in a new way

A surprising aspect of this course was the controversy regarding basic writing.  Some students believed in strictness while others offered empathy for the circumstances of their students.  That is one area where my opinion has not quite been formed.  Coming to this class I tended to err toward strictness but the course has led me to question my stance. 

After having taken this Basic Writing Theory and Pedagogy course, I am looking forward to the other courses that I will be taking, particularly the core courses.  I am looking forward to the classmates, the group work and the theoretical, historical and practical knowledge.