Writing Fellows
In the pilot project “More Writing Competence in STEM Subjects” (2023/2024), we developed a concept for subject-related writing support by adapting the writing fellows concept to the specific needs of TU Darmstadt.
| Project: | More writing competence in STEM subjects. |
| Goal: | Enabling students of STEM subjects to develop the key competence of writing at an early stage and in a subject-related manner. |
| Action: | Development, implementation and evaluation of a Writing Fellows Program at TU Darmstadt. |
| Target groups: | Students and teachers in STEM subjects. |
| Languages: | Courses and writing assignments in English and German. |
| Project duration: | 2023-2024; two pilot phases: winter semester 2023/24 and summer semester 2024. |
| Project coordination: | Anna Brockhaus, Oliver Delto, Sabine Zindel |
| Funding: | Central QSL funds (LeNA funds) |
What are writing fellows?
As trained peer tutors, writing fellows accompany courses which contain at least one writing assignment. They provide students with text feedback that is not tied to a grade and consider the feedback requests of both the instructor and the students.
Information for teaching staff
Teaching staff could participate in the Writing Fellows Program, …
- if their course was in a STEM discipline,
- if they included at least one mandatory writing assignment,
- if they considered writing as an important skill,
- if they wanted to optimize the time-consuming review of student texts.
How did teaching staff benefit from this program?
- More efficiency in reviewing and grading student texts.
- Writing fellows provided feedback on text assignments from the student perspective.
- Clear contact persons for students on scientific writing.
- SchreibCenter offered support in the development of a didactically well thought-out writing assignment.
- SchreibCenter offered support in dealing with student writing, including didactic impulses with regard to AI tools.
How did students benefit from this program?
- Improved text quality (and grades).
- Enhanced writing skills, especially revision skills and how to prepare for larger writing projects such as the final thesis.
- Through the revision process, they had the opportunity to address their questions and insecurities in a safe, non-hierarchical setting and to learn in a peer setting.
How could students become writing fellows?
We advertised positions as student assistents, found suitable students, and trained them in a program specifically designed for the program.