Online Courses for Teachers

Effective Strategies to Improve Student Writing

(Grades 4-12) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 42T02 / ACE Course Number: LE5669 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41465

Course Description

Are you looking for effective ways to support and inspire your student writers? Do your students approach writing with reluctance or uncertainty? This online course for grades 4–12 equips teachers with practical, research-based strategies to improve writing instruction and engagement. Teachers will learn how to teach narrative, persuasive, and informative writing, as well as guide students through a clear process for research writing, including note-taking and outlining. The course emphasizes empowering student voice by helping students develop confidence, ownership, and authenticity in their writing. It also integrates technology through digital research, information literacy, and digital storytelling, while providing strategies to support struggling and multilingual writers and motivate reluctant learners. Additional topics include using literature as inspiration, applying the six traits of writing, implementing writer’s workshop within the writing process, exploring meaningful assessment options, and incorporating writing across the curriculum. By the end of this course, teachers will have a comprehensive set of tools and strategies to motivate students, elevate student voice, and help all learners become more confident and effective writers. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI course, visit our credit page.

Need help? Allison Wynne, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.

"This course was fantastic. The course content was excellent. I like how there is a breakdown that makes sense for teaching writing." - Jason Green