Advanced Module 8 “Teaching Writing Skills”

Type of examination

The module examination is a portfolio. It is an individual assessment; portfolios may not be prepared jointly.

Formal and content requirements

The portfolio comprises approximately 15 to 20 pages (excluding references and appendices). Its core is the description of about five to fifteen self-developed intervention sessions designed to improve the writing skills of children or adolescents with learning difficulties. The intervention should be designed for a small group or a whole class of fictitious learners. An excellent portfolio is characterised by an intervention that fits the targeted learners as closely as possible; this depends on how well the approach is justified by the relevant empirical evidence. An appendix illustrating the procedure is recommended (there is no page limit for the appendix). There are no requirements regarding number of characters, font size, line spacing or other formal aspects.

The intervention should target the ability to write one specific text type (narrative, informative, argumentative, etc.). Where appropriate for the targeted learners, the series may focus on one particular aspect of the writing process (planning, drafting or revising) or on specific competencies (e.g. perspective-taking or establishing coherence).

At the beginning of the portfolio, the objectives of the sessions should be derived coherently from at least one well-founded model of writing and from relevant studies. The basic concept of the series should then be presented, drawing on the content of the module courses and on suitable literature. The description of the learner group should contain all information relevant to the intervention. The sessions should be presented in a consistent format (e.g. objectives, materials, procedure, assessment of learning outcomes).

Examination period

The portfolio is prepared between the start of the course and a fixed deadline at the end of the semester: 30 September in the summer semester and 31 March in the winter semester. The portfolio is submitted via ILIAS.

Aim of the examination

By preparing the portfolio, students demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes described in the module handbook.

Prerequisites for participation

Students must have successfully completed both courses of the module.

Registration and deregistration

You register via KLIPS 2.0. Please observe the relevant deadlines. If, after registering, you do not wish to or cannot submit your portfolio on time, you must deregister via KLIPS 2.0 no later than two weeks before the examination date. An e-mail to the secretary's office or to the lecturers does not replace deregistration via KLIPS 2.0. After this deadline, deregistration is no longer possible without a valid reason (e.g. illness); failure to submit will then be counted as a failed attempt. If you cannot complete the examination for a valid reason, you must immediately send the Examinations Office a document stating the reason (e.g. a medical certificate). Send this document exclusively to the Examinations Office; only the Examinations Office can confirm a withdrawal for a valid reason and cancel your registration. In addition, please inform the examiners of your withdrawal by e-mail.

Examination procedure

The portfolio is prepared on the basis of these guidelines and further information provided in the two module courses. Students may also discuss their plans with the lecturer in an individually arranged consultation.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria are (1) completeness, (2) empirical foundation of the sessions, (3) structure and presentation of the content, (4) originality, (5) quality of the materials and (6) formal presentation of the document.

Notification of results

The grade is available in KLIPS 2.0 approximately one month after the submission deadline.

Weighting

The module grade counts 6/18 towards the overall grade.

Resits

The examination can be repeated twice.