Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations

Writing centres have had to adapt to many challenges, including the move to online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa this move was complexified by differential access to digital environments and contextual issues such as lack of electricity and rolling blackouts. Writing centre...

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Main Author: Arlene Archer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2023-09-01
Series:Perspectives in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://196.255.246.28/index.php/pie/article/view/7121
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author Arlene Archer
author_facet Arlene Archer
author_sort Arlene Archer
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description Writing centres have had to adapt to many challenges, including the move to online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa this move was complexified by differential access to digital environments and contextual issues such as lack of electricity and rolling blackouts. Writing centres also need to consider the increasing massification of higher education and ways of harnessing diverse resources to enrich communication. This paper explores writing centre approaches to research and pedagogy within a social justice agenda, including combining an academic literacies approach with a multimodal social semiotic approach. It also investigates innovative approaches to teaching writing in diverse and multilingual contexts, including expanding the repertoire of resources used in writing consultations. It argues that the explicit utilisation of a range of modes can enhance writing production and enable writers to actively explore different modes for constructing meaning. The paper reflects on developing inclusive multimodal writing centre materials. It then explores the changing function of modes in online and face-to-face consultations (postpandemic lockdowns), including talk as mode, silence as mode, visual modes, and the use of time. The aim is to interrogate our academic practices concerning the diverse languages and various forms of communication that students possess, whether in virtual or physical learning environments.
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spelling doaj.art-3f6e1409ea33412681ef94d7ffa231e62024-03-18T11:08:44ZengUniversity of the Free StatePerspectives in Education0258-22362519-593X2023-09-0141310.38140/pie.v41i3.7121Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurationsArlene Archer0University of Cape Town, South Africa Writing centres have had to adapt to many challenges, including the move to online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa this move was complexified by differential access to digital environments and contextual issues such as lack of electricity and rolling blackouts. Writing centres also need to consider the increasing massification of higher education and ways of harnessing diverse resources to enrich communication. This paper explores writing centre approaches to research and pedagogy within a social justice agenda, including combining an academic literacies approach with a multimodal social semiotic approach. It also investigates innovative approaches to teaching writing in diverse and multilingual contexts, including expanding the repertoire of resources used in writing consultations. It argues that the explicit utilisation of a range of modes can enhance writing production and enable writers to actively explore different modes for constructing meaning. The paper reflects on developing inclusive multimodal writing centre materials. It then explores the changing function of modes in online and face-to-face consultations (postpandemic lockdowns), including talk as mode, silence as mode, visual modes, and the use of time. The aim is to interrogate our academic practices concerning the diverse languages and various forms of communication that students possess, whether in virtual or physical learning environments. http://196.255.246.28/index.php/pie/article/view/7121Academic literaciesmaterials developmentmultimodalitysocial justicesocial semioticswriting centres
spellingShingle Arlene Archer
Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
Perspectives in Education
Academic literacies
materials development
multimodality
social justice
social semiotics
writing centres
title Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
title_full Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
title_fullStr Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
title_full_unstemmed Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
title_short Exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in-person configurations
title_sort exploring multimodal approaches for writing centres in remote and in person configurations
topic Academic literacies
materials development
multimodality
social justice
social semiotics
writing centres
url http://196.255.246.28/index.php/pie/article/view/7121
work_keys_str_mv AT arlenearcher exploringmultimodalapproachesforwritingcentresinremoteandinpersonconfigurations