TY - JOUR
T1 - From speed dating to intimacy
T2 - methodological change in the evaluation of a writing group
AU - Bosanquet, Agnes
AU - Cahir, Jayde
AU - Jacenyik-Trawoger, Christa
AU - McNeill, Margot
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - This paper explores an innovative approach to evaluating the effectiveness of a writing group in an Australian research-intensive university. Traditional qualitative and quantitative methods typically applied in higher-education research may be effective in analysing the output of writing groups; however, they do not always address the affective domain of writing and giving and receiving feedback in a small-group context. The group had previously evaluated its practice with a speed-dating activity, itself an innovative approach designed for efficiency and to take advantage of the size and diversity of the group. The changing membership of the group, from eight to four participants, warranted a methodology appropriate to the intimacy of the group. In this paper, three theoretical frameworks are used to conceptualise the practice of the smaller group: communities of practice, peer mentoring and affect theory. The methodologies of critically reflective practice and memory work described here emerged from these theoretical frameworks.
AB - This paper explores an innovative approach to evaluating the effectiveness of a writing group in an Australian research-intensive university. Traditional qualitative and quantitative methods typically applied in higher-education research may be effective in analysing the output of writing groups; however, they do not always address the affective domain of writing and giving and receiving feedback in a small-group context. The group had previously evaluated its practice with a speed-dating activity, itself an innovative approach designed for efficiency and to take advantage of the size and diversity of the group. The changing membership of the group, from eight to four participants, warranted a methodology appropriate to the intimacy of the group. In this paper, three theoretical frameworks are used to conceptualise the practice of the smaller group: communities of practice, peer mentoring and affect theory. The methodologies of critically reflective practice and memory work described here emerged from these theoretical frameworks.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84902840419&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/07294360.2013.863845
DO - 10.1080/07294360.2013.863845
M3 - Article
VL - 33
SP - 635
EP - 648
JO - Higher Education Research & Development
JF - Higher Education Research & Development
SN - 0729-4360
IS - 4
ER -