Philosophical Approaches to Writing Center Web Sites 2006 Pacific Northwest Writing Center Association Conference At Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Presented by Peter Ellis Web Site Manager/Writing Tutor The Evergreen State College Writing Center

Session Outline 5 minute Writing Exercise What am I talking about? Personal Background Web Site Philosophy of Evergreen's Writing Center Seminar Discussion Collaboration Discussion

5 minute Writing Exercise

What am I talking about?

Personal Background

Web Site Philosophy of Evergreen's Writing Center

Seminar Discussion

Collaboration Discussion

Writing Exercise: 5 minutes How has your web site developed over time? Or, if you don't have a web site: What does your ideal web site look like?

What am I talking about? Professional web designer since 1999 Web site must have a guiding philosophy separate from the operational philosophy of the Center But what is a web site philosophy? Encompasses management method, overall “message” of the web site Site should actively reinforce the Center's operational philosophy.

Professional web designer since 1999

Web site must have a guiding philosophy separate from the operational philosophy of the Center

But what is a web site philosophy?

Encompasses management method, overall “message” of the web site

Site should actively reinforce the Center's operational philosophy.

My Background Joined Writing Center staff as web site manager in Fall 2002 oversight of web site content liaison to Campus Web Team Formulating philosophy for the web site Coordinating web site meetings Hired as tutor, Fall 2003

Joined Writing Center staff as web site manager in Fall 2002

oversight of web site content

liaison to Campus Web Team

Formulating philosophy for the web site

Coordinating web site meetings

Hired as tutor, Fall 2003

Web Site Management Philosophy Web site management before my hire... Old (Fall 2002 - Summer 2005) Web site manager controls all content, layout, full autonomy Meets weekly with Writing Center director

Web site management before my hire...

Old (Fall 2002 - Summer 2005)

Web site manager controls all content, layout, full autonomy

Meets weekly with Writing Center director

Web Site Management Philosophy New (Fall 2005 - Present) Decision: web site should be a tool used and developed by the tutors Web site manager as “editor” Tutors provide content Meeting directly with tutors

New (Fall 2005 - Present)

Decision: web site should be a tool used and developed by the tutors

Web site manager as “editor”

Tutors provide content

Meeting directly with tutors

Impact Old Philosophy Centralized web site work through a single person, but also made making changes somewhat harder New Philosophy Decentralized content creation Reduced the amount of content being generated/revised Increased slightly the number of new content ideas

Old Philosophy

Centralized web site work through a single person, but also made making changes somewhat harder

New Philosophy

Decentralized content creation

Reduced the amount of content being generated/revised

Increased slightly the number of new content ideas

Transitions Between Philosophies Why did the amount of content drop? Not sure: switched both philosophies and people responsible for web site oversight at the same time Possible combination of: Web site content being “intimidating” We do not tutor online

Why did the amount of content drop?

Not sure: switched both philosophies and people responsible for web site oversight at the same time

Possible combination of:

Web site content being “intimidating”

We do not tutor online

Food for Thought What are the ethical issues surrounding web sites, particularly providing scheduling information or tutor backgrounds online? How do you bridge the gap between online and in-person interactions with writers? How do you effectively support faculty, staff, and students via the web? Why would maintaining a web site have a negative impact on the Center's operations and philosophy?

What are the ethical issues surrounding web sites, particularly providing scheduling information or tutor backgrounds online?

How do you bridge the gap between online and in-person interactions with writers?

How do you effectively support faculty, staff, and students via the web?

Why would maintaining a web site have a negative impact on the Center's operations and philosophy?