Results
Title

Developing Graduate Writing Habits and Skills: Establishing Writing Sessions with STEM Graduate Students.

Authors

Zimmer, Wendi K.; Chang, Chi-Ning; Semma, Brandie M.; Fowler, Debra

Abstract

STEM graduate students are expected to develop strong writing skills as fundamental components of measured success. Based on a targeted learning outcome for an interdisciplinary graduate program, and a need to support STEM graduate student writing, this study analyzes the effectiveness of a writing community, implemented to assist with enhancing students' writing habits and skills. Twenty-nine STEM graduate students in various fields participated in this multi-year long study, analyzed using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The analysis demonstrated the implementation of structured writing sessions within a writing community environment enhanced students' writing habits, and development in multiple areas. Furthermore, enhancement increased students' positive perceptions of writing. Knowing the importance of writing success at the graduate level and beyond, ways to support graduate student writing must be developed to increase practice and confidence toward writing in STEM disciplines for sustainable writing and career success.

Subjects

GRADUATE students; HABIT; GRADUATE education; OCCUPATIONAL achievement; EDUCATIONAL outcomes

Publication

College Teaching, 2022, Vol 70, Issue 2, p133

ISSN

8756-7555

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1080/87567555.2021.1909524