Generating New Theory for Online Writing Instruction (OWI)
The student’s essay has been sent to the tutor to be read prior to the live interaction. The student was asked to describe the assignment for context and to state what kinds of help he wanted from the conference. To some in individualized writing instruction, the “format” given to the student to express his needs might be construed as a “one size fits all” package that constrains a tutorial or consultation in the f2f setting. However, in the online environment, the form also can be understood as a tool that frees the consultant and student. By providing necessary context prior to the tutorial, the participants are free to begin their work at a point of focus. And, although that focus can and should shift to meet the student’s demonstrated needs, it offers a “way in” and provides an economy to the online interaction that potentially makes OWI more scaleable. Scalability becomes important when there are a limited number of teacher/tutors and a greater number of students who want to use the OWI—a positive goal for a thriving OWI program.