Everyday Writing Center: A Community of Practice

by Anne Ellen Geller, Michele Eodice, Frankie Condon

In a landmark collaboration, five co-authors develop a theme of ordinary disruptions ("the everyday") as a source of provocative learning moments that can liberate both student writers and writing center staff. At the same time, the authors parlay Etienne Wenger’s concept of "community of practice" into an ethos of a dynamic, learner-centered pedagogy that is especially well-suited to the peculiar teaching situation of the writing center. They push themselves and their field toward deeper, more significant research, more self-conscious teaching.

Genres: Academic, Education, Writing, Teaching, Nonfiction

154 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2006

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally read for a graduate class in peer tutoring, I recently reread this to prepare myself for an upcoming interview for a a job teaching developmental writing at a local college (I'd been asked to describe an activity, writing genre, or text that best demonstrates my approach to teaching writing). It was good to refresh my memory, since working in a writing center influenced my decision to become an English teacher, to pursue graduate studies in composition and rhetoric, and ultimately influenced my teaching style and practices when it came to the teaching of writing. I remembered, upon rereading this book, that for me, writing centers are a microcosm for my attitudes, skills, and knowledge in teaching English and writing in the classroom.

[Chanel Earl]

This is a great exploration of many issues faced by writing center directors. I really enjoyed the way that it would open up a problem or concern to new possible solutions. I also enjoyed the playful nature of the content, even though it wasn't always discussed playfully.

[Kara Poe Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

An energizing and challenging book. Highly recommend for writing center directors, writing program administrators, and leaders of all kinds.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I managed to do writing center work for so long before reading this, but I'm certainly glad I finally picked it up. The (5!) co-authors to an incredible job of writing this collective narrative that draws productive, anecdotal parallels between and amongst their disparate institutions -- ones that should influence all writing center praxis. Of particular "utility" is the chapter on race and race relations.