The Writing Center Is Officially Open!

After some delay in construction, the PCCC Writing Center has officially opened!

Writing Center work began in Fall of 2008, with consultations occurring in various places around campus, including in the library and Hamilton Hall.

The new Writing Center in located in PCCC's Learning Resource Center on the main campus. On the Wanaque campus, sessions are available on a limited basis in the testing room. Students are encouraged to make appointments for writing consultations, but may also do so on a walk-in basis.

The Writing Center currently employs 5 writing consultants to help students in Writing Intensive courses with their assignments. In addition, the Center offers sessions to students who are preparing to take the College Writing Exam and general writing workshops open to all PCCC students.

For more information about the Writing Center or to make an appointment, go to our website at http://pccc.libguides.com/writingcenter or email writingcenter@pccc.edu.

Two-Day Faculty Seminar For New WI Faculty

We have split our 4-day Faculty Institute into two 2-day sessions this year in an effort to reach more faculty and make the experience more of a seminar-style event.

During the January break, we will hold a seminar with faculty who are piloting courses in spring or fall 2009. The second 2-day session will be held in May.

Both sessions will focus on the goals and methodologies of the Initiative, and hands-on creation sessions for faculty developing a writing-intensive course.

January 14 -  8:30 - 3:30

• An Introduction to the Writing Initiative Goals
• The role of the PCCC Writing Center
• What is a writing-intensive course?
• Best Practices from Fall 2008 with faculty fellows Randy Jenkins, Alan Mitnick, Petar Drakulich and Anita Kumar.
• Creating WI assignments
• Incorporating critical thinking in writing

January 15 - 8:30 - 3:30

• The requirements for teaching a writing-intensive course as part of the Writing Initiative grant.
• An overview of the technologies & tools being used in WI courses to help generate writing and support students: WCOnline, LibGuides, Blackboard and the PCCC portal, ePortfolios, streaming media and eTutoring.
• Working with the design template to create a WI assignment.
• An introduction to the standard writing rubric and using it for assignments and assessment.

The PCCC Writing Center Will Open This Month

Construction on the PCCC Writing Center on the Paterson Campus was finally completed during the December break and will open for students with the start of the spring semester this month.

Originally slated to open in fall 2008, construction issues delayed the opening by one semester.

The facility is located within the Learning Resource Center and is open weekdays. Check the Writing Center LibGuide for the current operating hours.