Innovative approach results in improved writing skills at primary schoolPhD candidate Mariëtte Hoogeveen states that “New approach enables pupils to write better quality texts.”17 January 2013 |
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Primary school writing classes place insufficient emphasis on pupils’ writing processes and on the communicative function of texts. Teachers tend to focus mainly on the superficial features of a text, such as the use of a title at the top, correct spelling, and proper punctuation. These are the claims made by Mariëtte Hoogeveen, a PhD candidate at the University of Twente. After conducting an experimental study, she found that the peer response with additional instruction in specific genre knowledge approach leads to improved writing performance. Pupils who are taught using this approach write better texts than those in the control group. Mariëtte Hoogeveen notes that “In primary education there is insufficient emphasis on the communicative function of texts. By this I mean that pupils are not given sufficient instruction in how to adapt their texts to the intended purpose and to the target audience in question. Nor is due consideration given to either the writing process or the text itself.” According to Ms Hoogeveen, excessive emphasis is still being placed on superficial characteristics such as “you forgot to use capital letters” or “I enjoyed reading your text”. Mariëtte Hoogeveen conducted an experimental study based on an approach that she had developed herself: peer response with additional instruction in specific genre knowledge. Instruction in genre knowledge Results The pupils’ writing skills were assessed by means of four writing tasks, consisting of two stories and two sets of instructions. In addition to an overall score for text quality, the indicators of time and place were assessed, as was their use during text revision. Furthermore, video clips were made of text discussion sessions. These showed that, when discussing texts, pupils in the SGK-condition group tended to focus more on indicators of time and place. Peel the apples, add raisins, sugar, and cinnamon, then stir. Place on the puff pastry, then fold it shut. During the text discussion session, the pupil received responses concerning the written text. The pupil then modified the text. The second version read: Peel the apples and place them in a bowl, add raisins, sugar, and cinnamon, then stir the mixture well. Place the mixture on the puff pastry, then fold the pastry from one corner to another to make a triangle. The text discussion session had resulted in a much clearer, improved text. Further details
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