Graduate writing is receiving increasing attention, particularly in contexts of diverse student bodies and widening access to universities. In many of these contexts, writing is seen as 'a problem' in need of fixing. Often, the problem and the solution are perceived as being solely located in notions of deficit in individuals and not in the broader embedded and sometimes invisible discourse practices. An academic literacies approach shifts the focus from the individual to broader social practices. This research project emerged out of an attempt to develop a graduate research-writing pedagogy from an academic literacies perspective. We present a detailed case study of one Masters' student to illustrate the results of a pedagogy that moved beyond notions of deficit and support. We argue that to be successful research writers, students need to (1) become discourse analysts; (2) develop authorial voice and identity; and (3) acquire critical competence.
Engineering education has long resulted in professional engineers with the required technical skills to meet the profession’s needs. Yet in today’s rapidly changing, globalised world, engineers will need more than technical competencies to meet the requirements of their professional work. Incorporating different literacies in engineering education might help with this shift. We introduce the idea of including critical reflective writing practice on the idea of being an engineer into engineering curricula. Our study explored how fourteen engineering graduate students were mentored on how to reflect critically on their professional identities through narrative writing. The students wrote the narratives while attending a pilot co-curricular Institute that focused on developing leadership, communication, and professional skill-building. We analysed the narrative writing produced by participants using the constant comparison method of analysis. Key findings show that (a) narrative methodologies are valuable for tapping into the reflective non-technical, process aspects of the profession; and (b) critical reflective writing practice was challenging for participants and required comprehensive scaffolding. If scaffolded and embedded in engineering curricula, critical reflective writing practice could contribute significantly to a 21st century engineering identity.
Undergraduate Engineering Education can be significantly enhanced through the effective use of Teaching Assistants. Traditionally, Teaching Assistants have been viewed as support for the instructor, but as student-centred learning models take more precedence, the role of the Teaching Assistant is changing to adapt. Recognizing the challenges presented by large class sizes and Teaching Assistants’ limited teaching experience, how can we effectively employ graduate students as Teaching Assistants to enhance undergraduate learning in engineering? This paper provides details on the approach taken by Memorial University to support Teaching Assistants as educators and to draw on their experience and enthusiasm for engineering education. It also examines the approach taken in one undergraduate engineering course to engage Teaching Assistants with the content, the students, and the professor.
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