Writing research showcased on national stage

A group of Bloomsburg University student writing tutors saw their research showcased on the national stage this fall at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing at Hofstra University, which featured multiple writing workshops and creativity sessions.

This year’s NCPTW, which annually promotes the teaching of writing through collaborative learning, was focused on “Reaching Out: Revising Writing Center Space and Identities.” A keynote presentation was given by English professors Lauren Fitzgerald, director of the Wilf Campus Writing Center at Yeshiva University, and Melissa Ianetta, director of the Writing Center at the University of Delaware.

Six students, who each help tutor at BU’s Writing and Literacy Engagement Studio, presented research on varying topics related to literacy and development of writing skills.

“The presentations I was involved in related very closely to my major,” said Nancy Zola, a senior English secondary education major. “One of the highlights of my experience was being able to help other writing fellows and writing fellow program directors by informing them about our research on how to improve our own fellows program.”

Her collaborative research (How Writing Fellows Pinpoint Writer Needs with Diagnostic Prompts) with fellow writing tutor Krista Hayes, a senior communication studies major, resulted in new techniques on how colleges and universities could set up a similar program.

“I plan to pursue a career as a high school English teacher or continue my education further in pursuit of a doctorate, so I may become a professor,” Zola said. “As a future educator, I may try to assess the attitudes and abilities students come to me with by using diagnostic prompts like the ones I created and researched for my poster session.”