Abstract
Key features of laboratory projects that allow for authentic use of writing include student agency, longer timescale, and lack of a predetermined outcome.
Highlights
Writing plays a key role in the process of science, and as such is identified as an important skill that students should develop throughout their undergraduate physics curriculum [1]
The different modes of writing goal refers to wanting students be able to write about experimental physics in multiple contexts, highlighting modes of written communication that are central to the process of science
The course we investigate for this case study is a 10-week advanced lab course typically taken by senior physics majors; it is offered in both the winter and spring quarters, and has a maximum capacity of 12 students per term
Summary
Writing plays a key role in the process of science, and as such is identified as an important skill that students should develop throughout their undergraduate physics curriculum [1]. The framework defines fifteen possible goals instructors might have for writing in labs, organized into five overlapping categories—communication, writing as professionalization (WAP), writing to learn (WTL), course logistics, and social emotional. We use this framework as a lens through which to view three different advanced lab courses that include student-designed projects. Multiweek student-designed projects are growing in popularity in lab courses [13] Such projects have unique affordances when it comes to students’ learning, including the possibility to engage in authentic communication practices [1,13]. The goals of this paper are the following: (a) present an indepth description of possible implementations of writing as a key element of student-designed projects, (b) demonstrate how the framework of possible goals for writing in lab classes [5] can be used for research, and (c) discuss the unique affordances of student-designed projects for writing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
