Committee Charge
This committee is being created to develop a set of best practices for online writing instruction. The committee charge is to:
Charge 1: Identify and examine best strategies for online writing instruction using various online media and pedagogies primarily used for the teaching of writing in blended, hybrid, and distance-based writing classrooms, specifically composition classrooms, but including other college writing courses.
Charge 2: Identify best practices for using online instruction specifically for English language learners and individuals with disabilities in coordination with related CCCC committees.
Charge 3: Create a Position Statement on the Principles and Standards for OWI Preparation and Instruction. In consultation with the Assessment Committee and the Task Force on Position Statements, review and update the 2004 Position Statement “Teaching, Learning, and Assessing Writing in Digital Environments.”
Charge 4: Share best practices in OWI with the CCCC membership in a variety of formats.
The Committee for Best Practices in Online Writing Instruction has worked for six years to research and draft a document addressing the foundational principles of OWI and example effective practices. That work is completed and the CCCC statement, A Position Statement of Principles and Example Effective Practices for Online Writing Instruction (OWI), is now available. The final document is designed to provide a major voice for the composition/English community in national and international conversations about online learning, particularly where writing is the object of the instruction. Although we believe the stated OWI Principles are firmly established, we consider the document to be a living, evolving piece to which additional example effective principles may be added. To this end, if you have any examples, questions, concerns, or if you would like to become involved with this group, please email co-chairs Beth Hewett and Scott Warnock.
The State-of-the-Art of OWI
Initial Report of the CCCC Committee for Best Practice in Online Writing Instruction (PDF), April 12, 2011
Fully Online Distance-Based Courses Survey Results
Hybrid/Blended Courses Survey Results
2009 CCCC Session Review
Read a review of the session we presented at the 2009 CCCC Convention titled "CCCC Committee Research into Best Practices for Online Writing Instruction (OWI)."
Annotated Bibliography
The CCCC Committee on Best Practices in Online Writing Instruction has gathered, reviewed, and annotated webtexts, articles, and books from 1980 through early 2008 that help us better understand those approaches and strategies that are most effective in OWI and compiled them into an annotated bibliography (pdf).