On Error
I’m looking for good sources on student error in writing to share with a colleague. Joseph Williams on “The Phenomenology of Error” is an obvious choice, but I’d also like to share a piece that condenses Mina Shaugnessy’s extended point in Errors and Expectations about how the incidence of error goes up as students learn new concepts — in other words, how error itself can be an indication of learning. I remember reading a shorter piece (was it one of Bartholomae’s, maybe?) that made this argument, with some data to back it up, but don’t recall what it was. Help me out?
June 25th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
See CompFAQs, under the “Curriculum” heading, the link to “Regression.” YOu’ll find an explanation of the phenomenon, a bibliography, and further information.
Direct link = http://comppile.tamucc.edu/wiki/Curriculum/Regression
June 25th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Thank you! Noted and linked in the sidebar too — excellent resource.
June 28th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Printing. Feel like a dolt.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:22 am
I wasn’t addressing it to you, shel, honest — had in mind more certain other folks who I’m gonna be working with soon. I know we’ve clashed over error in student writing in the past, but I think your recent post is really, really good in the searching that it does, and you raised some issues that comp folks need to talk about more. I’ve got a post on deck where I’ll try to synthesize this stuff more adequately sometime in the next couple days — but here I’ll just say that I think you’re on-target and also say that you’re pushing me to think about it further in productive ways.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:48 am
Oh. I’ve been presumptuous. Sorry. Well, it was thought-provoking, nonetheless, and I’m glad I read the link.
Thanks.