The study will be conducted in three phases during the 1999-2000 academic year. Mass Communication Writing Apprehension Measure will be used to collect the data. The other students in Media Writing do not receive the coaching and function as the independent variable. The coaching supplements the regular course instruction. During the coaching sessions, students discuss their writing assignments, collaborate with the instructor to determine ways to improve their writing skills, engage in computerized tutorials and supervised writing sessions with the instructor.
Data analysis determines whether the writer coaching intervention decreased writing apprehension.
B. Project Description 1. At Moorhead State University, our students also struggle with writing. In many cases, our students struggle with basic writing skills such as grammar proficiency and spelling. These characteristics are associated with writing apprehension. Writing apprehension can influence whether students select and succeed in a particular major such as mass communication.