Professor Garrington teaches Composition I and II at Purdue Global University and uses English Composition, 2nd Edition. In her own words, here is how scaffolded practice and immediate feedback with Hawkes Learning help students build writing skills step by step, at their own pace.
*Responses lightly edited for clarity.
Teaching Composition I involves many challenges such as working with a diverse population of students who enter college with a wide range of writing skills, experiences, and confidence levels. Some students have strong writing backgrounds, while others have struggled with writing or experienced negative feedback that adversely affected their motivation. Many non-traditional students are returning to school after years away from academic writing. The challenge is providing differentiation and individualized support while maintaining college-level expectations. Students need opportunities to practice and strengthen foundational skills, build confidence, and develop effective writing strategies at their own pace.
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"Mind the Gap: A Practical Guide to Supporting Students in Mixed Readiness Classrooms" delves into how Hawkes can help create equitable pathways to close the skills gap in your courses.
Hawkes Learning supports differentiated instruction by providing structured, scaffolded learning opportunities that help students engage in the writing process and build writing skills step by step. Students can practice foundational concepts, receive immediate feedback, and revisit challenging material before moving forward.
For example, students struggling with sentence structure, grammar, or paragraph organization can receive additional practice while more experienced writers reinforce their skills. The platform also supports non-traditional and first-year college students by allowing them to work independently and build confidence. Its integration with the learning management system helps create a more accessible and organized learning experience.
One of the most valuable outcomes is the opportunity for students to develop greater confidence and independence in their writing. Scaffolded practice and immediate feedback help students recognize mistakes, understand writing concepts, and apply those skills to their assignments. Students who initially struggle with grammar, sentence development, or organization have additional opportunities to practice without feeling discouraged. This is especially important for first-year and non-traditional students who may feel intimidated by college writing expectations. Hawkes also provides instructors with information about student progress, helping identify learning gaps and opportunities for additional support.
Hawkes Learning's English Composition curriculum and mastery-based learning system is a valuable instructional resource because it recognizes that students do not enter Composition I with the same skills, experiences, or confidence. Its scaffolded approach supports differentiation, encourages independent learning, and provides opportunities for students to experience success as they develop college-level writing skills. Most importantly, it helps make challenging writing concepts more manageable for a diverse population of learners.
"Many students enter Composition I believing they are poor writers because of previous negative experiences. Hawkes provides opportunities to practice, receive feedback, and experience small successes that can improve motivation. When students begin to recognize their progress, they become more willing to take risks, revise their work, and develop confidence in their abilities.
Technology cannot replace meaningful instructor feedback, but it can provide valuable additional support throughout the writing process."
Teaching Composition? Explore Hawkes Learning's English Composition courseware or connect with a Hawkes representative to see how it fits your course.