I've taught a lot of students that want every written error corrected, but they don't seem to actually look at the...
I've taught a lot of students that want every written error corrected, but they don't seem to actually look at the corrections. What I've started implementing is error logs. I correct their errors and use an error code to indicate the type of error. The error codes are fairly detailed i.e. perfect tense error, present tense error, preposition.
When students get their essays back, they keep a record of the different types of errors they make. In subsequent essays, they add any new error types and keep a running count of how many errors they made of a particular type. They can also add any example sentences that help them see their error. Before students revise their essay, I ask them to go back, look at that error logs, and focus on their most frequent errors. I find it definitely helps them focus on their weaknesses and improve.
When students get their essays back, they keep a record of the different types of errors they make. In subsequent essays, they add any new error types and keep a running count of how many errors they made of a particular type. They can also add any example sentences that help them see their error. Before students revise their essay, I ask them to go back, look at that error logs, and focus on their most frequent errors. I find it definitely helps them focus on their weaknesses and improve.
Walton Burns, I really like the idea! I made some IELTS students do the same for speaking, though not in such an organized way, I'm afraid. I don't know why it never occurred to me to do it for writing as well. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea, Walton. Like what Penny has said, this can be an alternative way to raise students' awareness. However, I wonder how much this strategy works for all types of students.
ReplyDelete1. Is checking the errors a prerequisite activity and graded? How did you handle your students who ignored this procedure prior to the submission of their work?
2. Errors are systematic in nature; students often get difficulties to find the connection between their current errors with the previous ones. In most cases, writers often do not realize their own errors unless someone else or others made them explicit. What do you think about this issue?
Yes, this can work really well. It takes some initial setup, but once you and the students get the hang of it, it can be quite beneficial.
ReplyDeleteWalton Burns That's a great idea. I do something like this for oral activities - remind the student about their errors before doing speaking, but I've never thought this can also work for writing. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletedanielmachung I don’t make it a prerequisite but I tell students that they are likely to make more errors if they don’t do this. I know some teachers do the error logs in class so at least you know students are writing down their mistakes.
ReplyDeletedanielmachung I missed your second point. I correct the essays before I have students do their error logs. So they are recording their mistakes, but they don't have to find them.
ReplyDeleteI tried a bit of a twist on this in that I made a numbered list of errors and gave each student the list with a sample of each error and another sentence or question with the corrected mistake. Then I would take the students papers and not correct them but write down the number of the error near the error and they would have to find their error and correct it and bring it back to me as the second part of the assignment. I have to say I stole this idea from the internet from a college professor who wrote about it but I can't remember where. Sorry but thank you whoever you were.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I have kept up with this but I am still working on it as I am not in a normal school and getting them to just do the assignments themselves is quite a trial. I can say that a few of the students who actually committed and did this are among the best students in our course but you need to have the support. However, if you do this does make them become a lot more autonomous and make your correction of papers worthwhile.
I do love the error logs of the class and will try this myself in the new year. As a good teacher, I have had the pleasure to have work with says, try a little change and see what happens.