Jul 30, 2022
The Textbuddy program: mastering writing tasks together
In addition to writing consultations, workshops, etc., we also offer the Textbuddy program at the Writing Center. We work closely with lecturers at the TU Dresden and support students in writing their seminar papers.
Curious about what exactly is behind it? Writing tutor Paulina is a Textbuddy and has answered three questions about the program.
How does the Textbuddy program support students?
Textbuddies are trained writing peer tutors from the Writing Center who provide students with targeted support for semester-long writing assignments. To do this, they talk with the instructor before the semester to discuss expectations for the student and the writing assignment. In the writing consultations, students then receive specific and detailed text feedback on the writing assignment, which they can then use to revise the text. Of course, all other aspects of academic writing and work can also be discussed.
What distinguishes the Textbuddy program from other consulting services at the TU Dresden?
In the Textbuddy program, the Textbuddys support not only the students, but also the teachers. I think it is this collaboration with both sides in a very flexible framework that makes an incredible amount possible. The Textbuddies support the teachers in their preparation and the students in their scientific writing, and at the end the teachers also receive feedback on the students' view of their course and the writing assignment - there is a cycle here and everyone involved benefits from the program, including the Textbuddies themselves.
What do you enjoy most about being a Text Buddy?
It's incredibly interesting to see what different teaching formats there are at the university. During your own studies, you rarely get a glimpse into other departments or into the thought processes of the teachers during the preparation of the courses. I enjoy thinking with faculty about how to translate their ideas into concepts and assignments that give students the opportunity to try out and learn scientific writing.
Further reading:
Dreyfürst, Stephanie, Liebetanz, Franziska, Voigt, Anja. (2018) Das Writing Fellow-Programm. Ein Praxishandbuch zum Schreiben in der Lehre. Bielefeld: wbv.
Harju B., Werner T. (2019) Wissenschaftliches Schreiben in der Hochschullehre. In: Noller J., Beitz-Radzio C., Kugelmann D., Sontheimer S., Westerholz S. (eds) Methoden in der Hochschullehre. Perspektiven der Hochschuldidaktik. Wiesbaden: Springer VS
Knorr, Dagmar, Brinkschulte, Melanie. (2019) Akademisches Schreiben lehren und lernen - Spektren einer prozessorientierten Schreibdidaktik. Journal für Psychologie. Jg. 27 Nr. 1. 51-71.
Vogt, Anja (Hg.) (2018) Lehren und Lernen mit Writing Fellows. Beiträge zur Forschung, Evaluation und Adaption. Bielefeld: wbv.
© Sven Ellger
Consultant for Writing Didactics
NamePaulina Hösl
Project sTUDy smart, expert for AI & writing
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Writing Center of TU Dresden
Writing Center of TU Dresden
Visiting address:
Fritz-Foerster-Bau, Floor 5, Room 556 Mommsenstr. 6
01069 Dresden
This post appeared on the occasion of the August 2022 Writing Center Newsletter. This and other newsletter issues are linked in the Writing Center Newsletter Archive.
© TUD
Writing Center of TU Dresden
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Fritz-Foerster-Bau, room 571 Mommsenstr. 6
01069 Dresden
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Zentrum für Weiterbildung/Career Service
Schreibzentrum
01062 Dresden
The Writing Center of the TU Dresden (SZD) supports students and lecturers with offers for planning and writing various texts in studies such as vouchers, protocols, seminar papers and theses and for teaching academic writing in teaching and supervision. All information about offers and possibilities of support can be found in the areas for students and lecturers.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)