It’s easy to understand why we reject the leadership label when it comes to the work of peer tutors. Traditional notions of leadership related to authority, power, and control seem antithetical to the collaborative work of the writing center. A leader achieving an outcome doesn’t seem quite the right model for the recursive, process-based work of writing. We hear leadership and imagine the stick figure on top of the mountain.
Read MoreUnfortunately, many students become hindered in their process by the expectations of writing. A common question that learners lead with is, “Can you check my grammar?” The imposed importance of grammar throughout all education levels can hold a student back in their writing. As sharing with peers, a tutor, or instructor allows for freedom and strength of identity, giving a student more credit for their innate abilities with language allows the same empowerment.
Read MoreThe required Writing Center appointments introduced students to the Center’s location, familiarized them with the software, and helped them build rapport with the staff. The visits themselves helped the students learn necessary skills like time management, responsibility, preparedness, and collaboration. The end result is that the students performed better in the class and learned how to think about their writing, catch mistakes, and apply the necessary skills to plan, organize, develop, and produce better writing.
Read More