Initiated in 1993, the Seminars feature academic papers, literary readings, and multi-media presentations of pedagogical, literary, and scholarly interest. We regard these to be friendly gatherings open to all instructors, students, and staff at NDSU, as well as the F/M community.

Archived Papers and Abstracts
Archived Schedules

For further information or to propose a Seminar topic, contact
Cindy.Nichols@ndsu.edu or Michele Sherman @ndsu.edu

 

 

Current Schedule, Spring 2009

"Collaborations in Composition: An NDSU-High School Writing Partnership"

Fri. Feb. 13th
3:30-5:00 pm
Minard 135

Presenters: Kristina Caton and Erik Kornkven

In the spring of 2007, Kristina Caton, a graduate student in English, and Cindy Benson, the English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at South High in Fargo, ND , collaborated in a writing partnership which partnered Caton’s Freshmen Composition students with Benson’s high school ELL students. Based on a similar project headed by Dr. Amy Taggart, in which freshmen composition students and junior high students wrote pen pal letters, Caton and Benson’s students exchanged letters throughout the semester. The partnership culminated in a collaborative writing workshop hosted by the Freshman Composition classes on the NDSU campus. In the fall of 2007, Caton received a grant from NDSU Extension to continue, and expand, the collaboration between Freshmen Composition students and high school international students in the Fargo Public Schools.

In this presentation, Caton and Erik Kornkven, also a graduate student in English, will share their experiences of instigating, planning, and carrying out these various collaborative exercises. They will explain the rationale behind the assignments from both the college and high school perspectives. They will also underscore the pedagogical decision making that went into planning and designing the assignments including what worked and tips for future collaborative efforts.

 

Recent Schedule, Fall 2008

"Safe or Sorry? Working Responsibly with SafeAssign"

Wed. Oct. 22nd
3:30-5:00 pm
Morrill Hall 109

Presenters: Nancy Lilleberg, Amy Rupiper-Taggart, Kelly Sassi, and Nona Wood

NDSU has adopted the plagiarism detection program “SafeAssign” and has integrated it as an option into Blackboard. At this session, you’ll get a brief demonstration of SafeAssign followed by a look at best practices and cautions for using plagiarism detection software. We will also examine student rights and responsibilities in relationship to plagiarism. Discussion will follow.

Nancy Lilleberg, ITS, demonstrating SafeAssign; Amy Rupiper-Taggart, Director of First-year Writing, over-viewing the writing field’s statements about best practices; Kelly Sassi, English and Education, reporting on teaching experience with plagiarism programs; and Nona Wood, offering perspectives on student rights and responsibilities regarding plagiarism.

Prepared by Cindy Nichols
Last modified February 26, 2009