Am I Writing When I'm Not Writing? Gathering Ideas to Bring Back Home
Monday, May 09, 2016
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On the blog, we usually discuss tips and strategies for
students to succeed in their writing and develop their writing skills. That
makes sense, right, we’re a writing center! Sometimes, though, lessons learned
while not writing can be just as
useful in helping us when we get back to our desks.
Last month I had the good fortune to attend the Online Learning Consortium’s (OLC) Innovate conference in New Orleans, along with my colleagues from Walden’s Center for Faculty Excellence, Laurie Bedford and Laurel Walsh. We were invited to present at the conference because Walden University won two OLC’s Effective Practice awards, one for the Center for Faculty Excellence’s faculty development Juntos and one for the Writing Center’s self-paced writing modules. In addition to accepting the two OLC Effective Practice awards, we also presented at the conference, talking with our fellow attendees about our work at Walden. (follow this link to view our OLC presentation if you’re interested).
Last month I had the good fortune to attend the Online Learning Consortium’s (OLC) Innovate conference in New Orleans, along with my colleagues from Walden’s Center for Faculty Excellence, Laurie Bedford and Laurel Walsh. We were invited to present at the conference because Walden University won two OLC’s Effective Practice awards, one for the Center for Faculty Excellence’s faculty development Juntos and one for the Writing Center’s self-paced writing modules. In addition to accepting the two OLC Effective Practice awards, we also presented at the conference, talking with our fellow attendees about our work at Walden. (follow this link to view our OLC presentation if you’re interested).
L to R: The conference program; Beth accepts the award; Beignets in NOLA :) |
We at the Writing Center are excited to be recognized by a
national organization like the OLC for our ability to effectively help students
with their writing. However, the award was just a small part of what made this
a positive experience for me. Throughout the OLC Innovate conference, I was
continually reminded of how important it can be to step away from our writing
and actually engage with others in our field. During the conference, I attended
panel presentations, focus groups, and round robin discussions by my peers in
higher education, all working to support and teach students online. The
discussion in these sessions and engagement with ideas was invaluable. This
discussion and engagement with my professional community renewed my enthusiasm,
gave me ideas to bring home to the Writing Center after the conference, and
reaffirmed my sense of professional purpose.
So, to all of the Walden students out there, my advice today
isn’t about writing. Instead, it’s about not
writing. Take a break, get out there in the world, eat a delicious French pastry, and engage with others
in your field whether at a conference, at work, or in your community. Talk
about big ideas, compare experiences, and ask questions. You’ll come back to
Walden and your writing with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
Oh yeah, and check out our award-winning
writing modules. ;)
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