OWI Symposium August 2020: Small Online Writing Instruction
The Online Writing Instruction Community would like to invite you to join their first ever virtual symposium!
Inspired by Flower Darby and James Lang’s Book Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes, we’ve invited leaders in the sub-field of Online Writing Instruction (OWI) to present ignite talks on practical topics related to OWI pedagogy and administration. Ignite talks are quick presentations that inspire audiences on a variety of topics - each presentation is exactly 5 minutes and contains exactly 20 slides, with each slide set to automatically advance after 15 seconds while the speaker talks.
The presenters will focus their ignite talks on one practice-based activity that instructors or administrators could implement in their online writing courses or programs.
The two-day event will take place:
Tuesday August 4th 2020 from 2:00-3:30 EDT (Link to full Symposium Day 1)
Thursday August 6th 2020 from 2:00-3:30 EDT (Link to full Symposium Day 2)
Registration
The event is free to participants, but registration is required and is limited to 500 people.
Note: There will be a second two-day symposium following in early September with additional speakers.
Save the dates! September 8th & 10th 3:00-4:30 EDT
Inspired by Flower Darby and James Lang’s Book Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes, we’ve invited leaders in the sub-field of Online Writing Instruction (OWI) to present ignite talks on practical topics related to OWI pedagogy and administration. Ignite talks are quick presentations that inspire audiences on a variety of topics - each presentation is exactly 5 minutes and contains exactly 20 slides, with each slide set to automatically advance after 15 seconds while the speaker talks.
The presenters will focus their ignite talks on one practice-based activity that instructors or administrators could implement in their online writing courses or programs.
The two-day event will take place:
Tuesday August 4th 2020 from 2:00-3:30 EDT (Link to full Symposium Day 1)
Thursday August 6th 2020 from 2:00-3:30 EDT (Link to full Symposium Day 2)
Registration
The event is free to participants, but registration is required and is limited to 500 people.
Note: There will be a second two-day symposium following in early September with additional speakers.
Save the dates! September 8th & 10th 3:00-4:30 EDT
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Heidi Skurat Harris

This two-day symposium will feature keynote speaker, Dr. Heidi Skurat Harris.
Dr. Skurat Harris is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing and the Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Professional and Technical Writing and the Graduate Certificate in Online Writing Instruction at the University of Arkansas--Little Rock. Dr. Skurat Harris currently teaches online writing instruction, technical writing, and creative nonfiction at UALR. Her publications focus primarily on research into effective online program development and sustainability and creating community and rapport with online students.
Day 1 Keynote Day 2 KeynoteMail Merge Activity
Dr. Skurat Harris is an Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing and the Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Professional and Technical Writing and the Graduate Certificate in Online Writing Instruction at the University of Arkansas--Little Rock. Dr. Skurat Harris currently teaches online writing instruction, technical writing, and creative nonfiction at UALR. Her publications focus primarily on research into effective online program development and sustainability and creating community and rapport with online students.
Day 1 Keynote Day 2 KeynoteMail Merge Activity
Presenter Bios and Ignite Talk Titles
Tuesday 8/4 Presentations | 2:00PM to 3:30PM EDT

Angela Laflen "Using Labor-Based Grading Contracts in OWI"
Angela Laflen is a faculty member in the English Department at California State University, Sacramento. She teaches in the Writing Program, in the areas of digital writing, online writing pedagogy, and professional writing. Her published work focuses on digital and multimodal literacies and writing response practices, and has appeared in Computers and Composition, Assessing Writing, and the Journal of Response to Writing, among others.
Angela's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
Link to ignite talk slides
Angela Laflen is a faculty member in the English Department at California State University, Sacramento. She teaches in the Writing Program, in the areas of digital writing, online writing pedagogy, and professional writing. Her published work focuses on digital and multimodal literacies and writing response practices, and has appeared in Computers and Composition, Assessing Writing, and the Journal of Response to Writing, among others.
Angela's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
Link to ignite talk slides

Bill Hart-Davidson "Describe, Evaluate, Suggest: A Pattern for Better Feedback"
Bill Hart-Davidson is a Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric & American Culture at Michigan State University and Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education in the College of Arts & Letters.
Bill's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Bill Hart-Davidson is a Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric & American Culture at Michigan State University and Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education in the College of Arts & Letters.
Bill's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Catrina Mitchum "OWPA: Why Delivery Matters, Checking-In with Students"
Catrina Mitchum is the Interim Associate Director of Online-Writing Program, a Career-Track Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, and an Affiliate faculty member of Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English (RCTE) at the University of Arizona. Her research interests are in retention and online course design and delivery of online writing classes, and the use of digital technology in the classroom. She teaches first-year writing courses as well as upper level undergraduate courses in Professional and Technical Writing, entirely online. Twitter: @trinamitchum
Catrina's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Catrina Mitchum is the Interim Associate Director of Online-Writing Program, a Career-Track Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, and an Affiliate faculty member of Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English (RCTE) at the University of Arizona. Her research interests are in retention and online course design and delivery of online writing classes, and the use of digital technology in the classroom. She teaches first-year writing courses as well as upper level undergraduate courses in Professional and Technical Writing, entirely online. Twitter: @trinamitchum
Catrina's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Shelley Rodrigo "OWPA: Why Design Matters, Labor Based Grading Rubrics"
Rochelle (Shelley) Rodrigo is the Senior Director of the Writing Program; Associate Professor in the Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English (RCTE); and Associate Writing Specialist (Continuing Status) in the Department of English at the University of Arizona.
She researches how “newer” technologies better facilitate communicative interactions, specifically teaching and learning. Her scholarly work has appeared in Computers and Composition, C&C Online, Technical Communication Quarterly, Teaching English in the Two-Year College, EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Journal of Interactive Technology & Pedagogy, Enculturation, as well as various edited collections.
Shelley's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Rochelle (Shelley) Rodrigo is the Senior Director of the Writing Program; Associate Professor in the Rhetoric, Composition, and the Teaching of English (RCTE); and Associate Writing Specialist (Continuing Status) in the Department of English at the University of Arizona.
She researches how “newer” technologies better facilitate communicative interactions, specifically teaching and learning. Her scholarly work has appeared in Computers and Composition, C&C Online, Technical Communication Quarterly, Teaching English in the Two-Year College, EDUCAUSE Quarterly, Journal of Interactive Technology & Pedagogy, Enculturation, as well as various edited collections.
Shelley's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Cat Mahaffey "Rethinking Accessibility in OWI"
Cat Mahaffey serves as the Vice President of the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE) and as a Senior Lecturer of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies at UNC Charlotte. Her research interests include online privacy, accessibility, and online writing instruction (OWI).
Cat's Ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Cat Mahaffey serves as the Vice President of the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE) and as a Senior Lecturer of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies at UNC Charlotte. Her research interests include online privacy, accessibility, and online writing instruction (OWI).
Cat's Ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Erica Stone "Building Community in the Online Writing Classroom"
Erica M. Stone, PhD has over 10 years of experience developing and teaching online composition and technical writing classes. In Fall 2020, she will begin her new role as Assistant Professor of English and the Associate Director of General English Education at Middle Tennessee State University where she is co-designing a new major in Public Writing and Rhetoric. Read more about her scholarship and community-based work at www.ericamstone.com. Contact her at erica@ericamstone.com or on Twitter @ericamstone
Erica's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Erica M. Stone, PhD has over 10 years of experience developing and teaching online composition and technical writing classes. In Fall 2020, she will begin her new role as Assistant Professor of English and the Associate Director of General English Education at Middle Tennessee State University where she is co-designing a new major in Public Writing and Rhetoric. Read more about her scholarship and community-based work at www.ericamstone.com. Contact her at erica@ericamstone.com or on Twitter @ericamstone
Erica's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Jude Miller "Antiracist Practice in the Online Writing Classroom"
Jude Miller holds a faculty position in Rowan University's Writing Arts Department. He primarily teaches in the first-year writing sequence, in addition to teaching technical and professional writing.
Jude's ignite talk handout
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Kevin DePew "Beyond The Discussion Board"
Kevin Eric DePew is an Associate Professor at Old Dominion University and co-edited Foundational Principles of Online Writing Instruction (2015) with Beth Hewett. He currently co-chairs the Global Society of Online Literacy Educator’s Certification Course Committee.
Kevin's ignite talk handout
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Kevin Eric DePew is an Associate Professor at Old Dominion University and co-edited Foundational Principles of Online Writing Instruction (2015) with Beth Hewett. He currently co-chairs the Global Society of Online Literacy Educator’s Certification Course Committee.
Kevin's ignite talk handout
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Thursday 8/6 Presentations | 2:00PM to 3:30PM EDT

Scott Warnock "The Provoker"
Scott Warnock is a Professor of English and the Director of the University Writing Program at Drexel University. He is the author of Teaching Writing Online: How and Why and Writing Together: Ten Weeks Teaching and Studenting in an Online Writing Course, with Diana Gasiewski. He has also authored numerous chapters and journal articles about online writing instruction, computers and composition, and education technology. Warnock served as president of the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators from 2018 to 2020.
Scott's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Scott Warnock is a Professor of English and the Director of the University Writing Program at Drexel University. He is the author of Teaching Writing Online: How and Why and Writing Together: Ten Weeks Teaching and Studenting in an Online Writing Course, with Diana Gasiewski. He has also authored numerous chapters and journal articles about online writing instruction, computers and composition, and education technology. Warnock served as president of the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators from 2018 to 2020.
Scott's ignite talk handout
Link to ignite talk video
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Kirk St.Amant "Teaching Writing Online in Cross-Cultural Contexts"
Kirk St.Amant is the Eunice C. Williamson Chair in Technical Communication at Louisiana Tech University (USA) and a faculty member teaching with the online technical communication programs at the University of Limerick (Ireland) and the University of Strasbourg (France).
Link to ignite talk video
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Kirk St.Amant is the Eunice C. Williamson Chair in Technical Communication at Louisiana Tech University (USA) and a faculty member teaching with the online technical communication programs at the University of Limerick (Ireland) and the University of Strasbourg (France).
Link to ignite talk video
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Kristy L. Crawley "Personality Tests: A Catalyst for Improving Online Class Participation"
Dr. Kristy Liles Crawley is a full-time member of the English faculty at Forsyth Technical Community College, where she has taught online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses for more than a decade. Her research on pedagogy and rhetorical studies appears in Prose Studies, Teaching English in the Two-Year College, Routledge Companion to Literature and Class, and Teaching, and Media: Original Essays about Educators and Popular Culture.
Kristy's ignite talk handout
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Dr. Kristy Liles Crawley is a full-time member of the English faculty at Forsyth Technical Community College, where she has taught online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses for more than a decade. Her research on pedagogy and rhetorical studies appears in Prose Studies, Teaching English in the Two-Year College, Routledge Companion to Literature and Class, and Teaching, and Media: Original Essays about Educators and Popular Culture.
Kristy's ignite talk handout
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Rich Rice "Synchronous/Asynchronous Native Online Engagement"
Dr. Rich Rice is Professor of English at Texas Tech University where he teaches and researches online education, intercultural communication, grant writing, new media, and rhetoric. See http://richrice.com
Rich's ignite talk handout
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Dr. Rich Rice is Professor of English at Texas Tech University where he teaches and researches online education, intercultural communication, grant writing, new media, and rhetoric. See http://richrice.com
Rich's ignite talk handout
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Theresa (Tess) Evans "Re-envisioning Synchronous "class time" Through Flexible Small Group Cohorts"
Dr. Theresa (Tess) Evans is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of English at Miami University of Ohio, where she teaches face-to-face and online sections of Technical Writing and Professional Communication for Business. Tess serves on the executive board for GSOLE and is transitioning this year from Secretary to Treasurer. Her work has been published in Rhetoric Review, The Proceedings of the Computers and Writing Conference, and OLOR. She can be reached on Twitter @tessmessage
Theresa's (Tess) ignite talk handout
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Dr. Theresa (Tess) Evans is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of English at Miami University of Ohio, where she teaches face-to-face and online sections of Technical Writing and Professional Communication for Business. Tess serves on the executive board for GSOLE and is transitioning this year from Secretary to Treasurer. Her work has been published in Rhetoric Review, The Proceedings of the Computers and Writing Conference, and OLOR. She can be reached on Twitter @tessmessage
Theresa's (Tess) ignite talk handout
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Beth Nastachowski "Strategies for Approachable Asynchronous Feedback for Both Online Writing Tutors and Instructors"
Beth Nastachowski has over 10 years of online writing center (OWC) experience and over 6 years of OWI experience. She currently is the Associate Director of Writing Instruction for the Walden University Writing Center and a Contributing Faculty member for the university's writing courses. She is a founding member of the Online Writing Center (OWC) Community
Beth's ignite talk handout
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Beth Nastachowski has over 10 years of online writing center (OWC) experience and over 6 years of OWI experience. She currently is the Associate Director of Writing Instruction for the Walden University Writing Center and a Contributing Faculty member for the university's writing courses. She is a founding member of the Online Writing Center (OWC) Community
Beth's ignite talk handout
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Jenae Cohn "Engaging Students in Reading Activities Online"
Jenae Cohn is an Academic Technology Specialist in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at Stanford University. She specializes in digital pedagogy, instructional design, and reading and writing across the curriculum. You can find her on Twitter @jenae_cohn or on her website, www.jenaecohn.net
Jenae's ignite talk handout
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