Writing in Groups: Developing Assignments for Large Introductory Geology Courses

该项目让学生通过写作小组进行学习，在整个课程中，小组学生一起工作：1)发展他们的口头和书面交流技能；2)将小组经验融入大型课程；以及3)扩大学生对地质学性质和方法的理解。创新的写作作业和相关的小组活动是对自然和历史地质学课程的补充。写作作业培养观察和批判性思维能力，向学生介绍当今地质学的实践，并培养地质学在社会中的作用的意识。当学生们聚在一起审阅彼此的论文时，他们发展了口头和书面交流技能，学习准确使用技术语言，讨论解释和评估论点。助教，培养本科地质专业学生，监督小组工作，回应和评价短文，参加小组活动。

The project engages students in learning through the use of writing groups, in which small groups of students work together throughout the course to: 1) develop their oral and written communication skills; 2) incorporate small-group experiences into large courses; and 3) expand the students' understanding of the nature and methods of geology. Innovative writing assignments and associated small group activities supplement lectures in Physical and Historical Geology courses. The writing assignments develop observational and critical-thinking skills, introduce students to the practice of geology today, and foster awareness of the role of geology in society. As students meet to review each others' papers, they develop their oral and written communication skills, learn to use technical language precisely, discuss interpretations, and evaluate arguments. Teaching assistants, trained undergraduate geology majors, monitor the group work, respond to and evaluate the short papers and participate in small-group activities.