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Rochelle, Starting a Writing Center is always a wonderful idea, but, especially in a pedagogically conservative environment, I'd guard against starting a Computerized Grammar Testing Service or an Editing Service. ONce the ball gets rolling down the hill in those directions, it is difficult to reverse. Consequently, you might want to send the Department members a copy of Stephen North's classic "The Idea of a Writing Center" readily available in Landmark Essays on Writing Centers (1995) or from the 1984 College English. As well, taking a tip from the new emphasis in medical practice--evidence-based medicine--what solid evidence do we have that doing this unusual thing to students--making them sit in front of a machine and learn terms and manoevres to analyze language--will make them better writers? Or maybe we should ask whether it will make them better writers than if they had spent their time doing something else such as talking with a trained tutor about rhetorical concerns in their writing. Jim Bell Coordinator, Learning Skills Centre University of Northern BC 3333 University Way Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 Phone: 250-960-6365 Fax: 250-960-6330 > -----Original Message----- > From: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Rochelle Butler > Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 6:59 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Writing Software > > > Good Morning! > We are looking into providing a writing center as an extension of Learning > Center services at our college. Any advice or things I should watch out > for? > I met with the English Department faculty yesterday and they are very > excited about the possibility of a writing center. They asked if it were > possible to have some grammar practice software in place in the writing > center. They envision sending students to the writing center for extra > grammar practice and drill. The software would be able to give students > some exercises and then explain to the student why the answer they picked > was wrong or right. The software would then grade the work and I would be > able to send the results to the professors. (As you can see, our > college is > very conservative in its writing curriculum. I see the writing > center as a > place where students can get help actually writing their papers also > (smile!)) > Anyway, are any of you aware of a good grammar software program > to meet our > needs? I did check the listserve archives and did not find anything yet. > Thanks in advance for your help! > Rochelle >