Online Courses for Teachers

Effective Strategies to Improve Student Writing

(Grades 4-12) / Flex Course

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

Course Description

Are you looking for effective ways to help your student writers? Do you find that your students dread the writing process? This online course for teachers provides educators in grades 4-12 with strategies that are sure to improve students’ writing skills. Teachers will be provided with effective ways to teach students how to write successful narrative essays, persuasive essays, and informative essays. The course also focuses on teaching students a step-by-step process for writing research reports, including note-taking and outlining skills. Technology is another area of focus addressing digital research, information literacy, digital storytelling, and iPad writing apps. Teachers will also learn ways to help struggling writers as well as motivate reluctant writers. Strategies for using literature as an inspiration for writing will be shared as well as using the six traits to expand and improve writing. Tips for teaching writing to English language learners will be shared in order to expand the skills of this special population. Writer’s workshop is introduced within the context of the writing process. A variety of assessment options are explored and shared. Finally, ideas for using writing across the curriculum and presented and explored. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will have the tools they need to help their students become better and more effective writers. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development 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