University of Michigan - Flint

Faculty Name:  Jacob Blumner

Department:  English

Campus Address:  326 French Hall

Email:  blumner@umflint.edu

Phone:  810762655

Project Description:  This project has two major components: 1) A study of the kinds of writing tasks students do as juniors and seniors in high school and then as first-year writing course at UM-Flint. 2) A study of faculty and student satisfaction with their experiences with writing.

The data will be gathered through interviews, surveys, and focus groups. The study will also involve library research to learn the philosophical and pedagogical best practices for teaching writing in high school and in higher education.

The goal of the project is to better understand how students transition from high school English courses to college writing courses, and to find better ways for students to make that transition smoothly. Students often struggle with the kinds of writing and the quantity of writing they are required to do, and the researchers believe that if students are better able to transition to college writing, they are more likely to persist in the university. This project will also expand collaborations between local high school and college writing faculty in the Genesee County community.

Semesters Desired:  Fall 2009; Winter 2010

GSRA Position Description:  The graduate student will essentially be a co-investigator, helping design the study and the questions for the surveys, interviews, and focus groups. He or she will also learn about human subjects requirements and helping the project receive IRB approval, thus completing PEERRS certification. The graduate student will also conduct much of the data collection work. The graduate student, and likely undergraduate students (through UROP), will present and publish with the faculty researcher.

Specific Day/Time Requirements:  None specified

Special Requirements:  None specified

Graduate Students in These Programs May Apply:  Position has candidate in mind