Most university and college students take online classes to make their lives a bit more convenient. While some enjoy the flexibility of taking an online class whenever they please, others prefer the security of being in a physical classroom with other students. Knowing how important it can be to succeed in school, Purdue took the opportunity to develop a course with the sole purpose of helping their students succeed. Developed by the School of Education in conjunction with the School of Journalism & Mass Communication, this five-year-old online writing lab can trace its roots to the university’s renowned educational program, the College of Agriculture. We took a deep dive into their program to find out more about what makes it special.
Pushing The Limits
A unique aspect of the Purdue University Online Writing Lab is that it was established in 2008, which makes it one of the newer and more innovative writing labs out there. Since its founding, the lab has been completely redesigned and reimagined, with the most recent update occurring in early 2018.
Through the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the lab is equipped with software that gives students the tools to write for highly respected publications like The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune. Additionally, the lab offers a variety of career-focused courses, many of which can be taken for graduate credit – perfect for students who are nearing the end of their undergraduate degree. All of this adds up to create what has been called, “the MIT of journalism,” a moniker that really could not be more fitting.
Why Agricultural Sciences?
With all of the opportunities that the Purdue Online Writing Lab has to offer, it’s not hard to understand why the university wanted to create something so specific and tailored to help students succeed in their writing pursuits. As fate would have it, the College of Agriculture is responsible for several disciplines, including Agronomy, Animal Sciences, Horticulture, and Nutrition. In addition to equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in school, these courses provide students with job opportunities in a variety of sectors, including agribusiness, biotech, and pharmaceutical – just to name a few.
So, it’s no wonder that the university’s College of Agriculture wished to contribute to something that could help its students make the most out of their studies and their opportunities. It’s an excellent fit, given that many students in this particular program are already familiar with computers and the Internet. With this said, it is important to note that not all courses at the university are eligible for credit; only those that are designed to help students succeed in their writing career are.
Becoming A Full-time Student
For full-time students who are working hard to complete their Bachelor’s degree, the Purdue Online Writing Lab is an excellent choice. Through the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the university’s College of Agriculture enables students to take a class online, regardless of their location, which makes it ideal for those who are still living at home. In fact, many students in the program are either still living at home or are about to move out, which affords them the flexibility to take the coursework when and where they please.
With many students having to balance their studies with a job and their social lives, the flexibility of online learning is a welcome change, as is the opportunity to retake courses that they’ve failed. Since many students in the program are approaching the end of their studies, it’s an excellent choice as it provides them with a credential that will serve them well in the job market. In the words of one satisfied student, “The only job I want after I graduate is a job at a prestigious media company – preferably one of the big four: The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, or the San Francisco Chronicle.”
Setting Up Shop
Anyone who has attempted to set up a writing lab or workshop in their home will understand the challenges that are inherent to doing so. Space is at a premium, as one must factor in the area needed for a desk, chair, and of course, a computer or laptop. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that you have the necessary lighting, a power outlet, and someplace to stage materials like manuscripts, hard drives, and CDs/DVDs – not to mention the room needed to house all of this equipment. Finally, a writing room or space doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, but it should provide a pleasant and inspiring atmosphere in which to work. This is where the importance of the color scheme and the design of the room come into play.
Purdue University Online Writing Lab took the opportunity to renovate the space, designing a room that is both functional and attractive, incorporating the elements mentioned above. As a result of this effort, they were able to establish a new and improved writing space that is both functional and inviting. The result is a cozy and inspiring atmosphere that encourages students to write. What’s more is that the space is equipped with the necessary tools to help them succeed.
This is important for a couple of reasons. First, many students lack both the confidence and the competence needed to succeed in their writing career. By providing them with a comfortable and inviting space in which to work, it is hoped that this will enable them to flourish and develop the skills needed to succeed. Second, for courses that are geared towards helping students succeed as journalists, it is of paramount importance that they have access to the necessary equipment and the space in which to stage their work. This ensures that they have everything they need to produce a high-quality product and increases the effectiveness of the class – improving the chances of student success. Lastly, having a well-designed space that is both functional and inviting encourages student participation and improves the overall quality of the learning experience.
Creating A Cohesive Learning Environment
When establishing a writing lab or workshop in your home, one of the first things that you’ll want to do is to consider the types of materials that you’ll need to have on-hand in order to successfully run the program. For that reason, it’s important to create a list of everything that you need, which can help you determine how much space you need and what type of furniture you’ll need to purchase. In that regard, the lab at Purdue University was fortunate to have a space that was already designed with teaching in mind – providing them with an additional boost of confidence that they could successfully run a program, even if it was in a home setting.
By creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere in which to work, establishing a cohesive and productive learning environment is made easier – encouraging students to become more involved in their studies and ensuring that they complete their assignments on time, whether it’s in a traditional classroom setting or via online distance learning.
This is why the labs at both Oregon State University and the University of Arizona are leaders in their field, and it’s also the main reason why the Purdue Online Writing Lab was established.