My students came to class the first day with bewildered looks on their faces. Within a few weeks, their progress overwhelmed me. In a lab environment, students learn technical skills in addition to writing skills. Instructors can display specific editing strategies on data shows. With desktop publishing, students can edit and publish their work collaboratively.
Instructors have more time to spend with individual students in writing conferences.
Students research and evaluate Internet sources. The Writing Lab offers individualized writing instruction to all interested students, at all levels, and provides a safe space where students take responsibility for their own development as a writer. The Writing Lab is staffed by experienced composition tutors who will act as guides for developing and articulating the student's own ideas and will assist in interpreting assignments, brainstorming, organizing, and writing first drafts. They will help with re-thinking and editing second or third drafts by using the instructor's comments as a preliminary guideline. For general assistance in composition, students do not need a referral form to utilize the Writing Lab.