First Year Writing Student Attitudes and Beliefs: The Potential for Writing-Related Transfer
Abstract
The concept of transfer is important in First-Year Writing (FYW). Further research is needed on how students’ existing beliefs about their FYW courses affect the likelihood of transferring their learning. My paper addresses this by gauging student beliefs both before and after taking a FYW course. I look at surveys and the three reflection assignments of eight FYW students. From the data, I argue student engagement is important to promote transfer and that reflection assignments may not be a good method of judging student learning. I conclude that FYW courses should focus more on ensuring students understand the purpose of reflection assignments.
Author Biography
Emily Lawrence graduated from Oakland University’s Writing & Rhetoric department in December 2020. She began attending Eastern Michigan University’s graduate program in Writing Studies in the fall of 2021. She hopes to graduate with a Master’s degree and then a PhD and begin teaching first-year writing courses.
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