Educational Technologies (ET@MO)
A division of the Office of the Provost | University of Missouri

Flipping the Writing Intensive Course

Faculty Focus: Cynthia Reeser, College of Human Environmental Sciences

In 2011, six large enrollment courses were selected to participate in Mizzou's course redesign initiative. The courses are Biology 1010, Human Development and Family Studies 2400, Journalism 2150, Math 1300, Nursing 2000, and Statistics 1200.

A major difference between HDFS 2400 and the other five courses tapped for course redesign is its writing intensive (WI) designation. In WI courses, assignments are designed both to promote the learning of course content and to enhance students’ critical thinking skills through writing. Although more educational technology tools are now available, effective automation of the grading and critiquing of written assignments remains elusive. The primary question confronting the redesign of HDFS 2400 was how to use technology effectively in a course that requires significant human interface.

Critiquing students' written output is an essential component of helping them learn. In an example of the scaffolding technique, the novice does the work while the more proficient individual lends encouragement and constructive advice. Without this critical piece, skills plateau at a lower level than what might have been possible otherwise.