Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
5-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
James Lampley
Committee Members
Don Good, Jasmine Renner, Don Johnson
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to discover what defines a writing center by interviewing directors of writing centers in the Southern Appalachian area. This qualitative study was based on a single round of recorded telephone interviews with 13 writing center directors who meet the criteria for inclusion in the study. Many researchers have written about writing centers, their efficacy, and what defines them; yet, no clear consensus exists. Without a clear definition there is no means of determining the efficacy of writing centers.
As a result of the interviews with the writing center directors three critical components of writing centers emerged. They were tutors, space, and leadership; these are the three major elements that define and shape a writing center. A writing center must have well-trained and knowledgeable tutors; a space, either physical, virtual or both, as a base of operation; and a director that provides leadership.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Ludwig, Paul D. Mr., "Defining Higher Education Writing Centers from the Perspectives of Writing Center Directors" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3855. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3855
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Online and Distance Education Commons, Other Education Commons