Academics Teaching and Learning Center Writing & Thinking Institute
Teaching and Learning Center

Writing & Thinking Institute

wti.pngA Two-Year Project of the San Antonio College Teaching & Learning Center

Mission
SAC Writing & Thinking Institute (WTI) promotes the use of writing as an instructional tool for learning and critical thinking across the curriculum at San Antonio College. It supports Student Success in Disciplinary Learning and the Marketable Skills of Communication and Critical Thinking.

Goals
The primary goal of the WTI is Student Success and the development of students’ communication and critical thinking skills needed to be successful in college and career. Its goal is to promote student engagement in deep learning through writing. For faculty, the WTI’s goal is the advancement of skills for using writing effectively to teach their content, as well as for teaching communication and critical thinking skills. The WTI will also enhance the Writing Center’s position as a campus Learning Center supporting learning in all disciplines.

Activities

The Writing & Thinking Institute
The Writing & Thinking Institute is a year-long professional development course for a selected group of faculty to learn and employ principles and strategies for using writing across the curriculum. During this course, faculty will share best practices with their colleagues. Topics of the course include: 1) principles of write-to-learn, 2) approaches to using informal and formal writing assignments (including research writing), 3) strategies for using writing to engage students in critical thinking and deep learning, and 4) elements of effective writing assignment design.

These faculty will be Writing & Thinking Institute Fellows for the year, and will engage in 30 hours of professional development over two semesters. WTI Fellows receive a stipend for participating and are responsible for creating a deliverable each semester and sharing this new or revised lesson with other faculty. Select students and Writing Center tutors will also be invited to attend two to four sessions to add their perspective to the curriculum.

Applications for next year’s WTI Fellows will happen in April 2023.

 

Annual Writing & Thinking Institute Conference—Jan. 27, 2023
The WTI will host a conference open to all Alamo Colleges faculty on the campus of San Antonio College. At this conference

  • A guest scholar will present in a General Session on a writing across the curriculum topic.
  • WTI Fellows will present writing assignments and learning strategies they have developed from their engagement in the Institute.

 

Visiting Speakers
In the Spring, the WTI will also host two sessions from visiting speakers:

  • A Visiting Author will present a public reading as well as engage in informal talks and campus events with students.
  • A Visiting Business Leader will hold a campus event sharing the role of writing in his or her workplace.

The times and dates for these events are yet to be announced.

 

For more information, contact Dr. L. Lennie Irvin at lirvin@alamo.edu.