Q&R 3: Can peer response groups really help students improve their writing?
Response: As a student, and currently enrolled in English, course I can agree that peer response groups are very helpful. When my peers revise my writing, the comments or ideas that are given to me make me improve my writing. Also, these studies (peer response groups) suggest that with training and practice, peer respondents learn to read, talk, and think about writing with greater maturity and sophistication (98). By revising our peers writing we can learn how to read with an open-ended attitude. Our rough drafts are unfinished and flawed, by having other students revise the writing the students learn to make inferences, predictions, and constructive meaning of the text rather than just receiving it (98). As a student, and after participating in peer response groups, I have seen the importance that peer response groups have in our writing and how it is constructive in the classroom. By having other students read our writing and comment on it, it helps us improve and recognize where we need improvement. I personally have already improved my writing with the comments I have received from my peers. I also understand that most students would be afraid or embarrassed to show their writing, because they are afraid of being ridiculed or criticized over the writing. I was one of those students. I was always embarrassed to show my writing. I felt like it we would be wrong or not interesting. Now I am comfortable with having my peers read my writing. I understand that everyone has different opinions and comments, and I take those comments into consideration when rewriting my paper. I am not offended in anyway by the comments made and encourage my peers to be as honest as they can when reading my writing. I personally think that peer response group should be introduced early in our education, because the peer response groups will make students loose the fear they have of showing their writing early in their education.
In conclusion, as a student, I can strongly agree that peer response groups are important when writing. The peer response groups help us as students improve our writing, and most importantly it makes us better writers.
Hello.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you. I had never participated in a peer response activity before. Well, not that I can remember. But I realized that these activities are pretty helpful. I still feel embarrassed of showing my writings to my peers, but I know that I had to overcome that feeling because the peer revision activities are for my benefit.
I liked your question and response. The question was good to spark discussion, and your answered it in a good way. your really made me get identified with you.
bye.