Steps to turning in your Electronic Writing Portfolio

-Print a submission form from Eastern’s Web site

-Give a writing sample from the specified course to the course professor along with the form. The professor will fill out the form and rate the paper.

-If the writing sample is rated with a “2” or higher, it can be turned in at Room 3001 at Ninth Street Hall, along with the form. The writing sample should be saved on a disk or USB-drive.

-Documents will be accepted one full semester after a student completes a course, however a hold might be placed on a student’s account until the submission is received.

Hours for EWP Submission: 8:30 – noon & 1 – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday

The results from the spring survey about electronic writing portfolio said that nearly 60 percent of faculty surveyed said the EWP is not an effective tool to measure student writing.

The survey questioned whether faculty and students see the value in the current system or whether writing improvement is even measured in the current process.

The purpose of the EWP is to be able to “assess the capabilities of the student’s writings,” said Karla Sanders, director of the center for academic support and achievement.

Sanders said that the Illinois Board of Higher Education makes sure that every college in the state of Illinois gives some kind of an exam, whether it is a written submission or a standard exam.

Sanders said that Eastern has been doing the EWP since the fall of 2000.

Every time a student completes 30 hours of classes, a form evaluation from a writing-centered or writing-intensive course must be submitted to the Center for Academic Support and Achievement, located at Ninth Street Hall.

An additional form must be submitted from each student’s senior seminar.

If a student does not submit an essay there will be a hold placed on that student’s account, which could prevent them from registering for classes.

The hold on the account was for “the students’ own good and it acts as a reminder to turn the EWP in,” Sanders said.

Sanders acknowledged the growing grumble from students complaining about the process and having to bring their information to a place, which is a hassle for some students, especially those who live off-campus.

“It might be possible for essays to be sent by e-mail,” Sanders said, looking to the future. “There is a plan in the works for things to go electronic.”

While the location of the process may be a problem for some students, other students had different complaints.

Holden Kurwicki, a sophomore communication studies major, said the process needed to be more direct. It would also be easier if the teacher chose what paper would be submitted, he said

Ashley Kanak, a social science major at Eastern went so far to say that we “shouldn’t have the EWP at all.”

The university teachers are good enough advisers to help students with any revision processes, and the EWP isn’t necessary, she said.

The Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning plans to work on the issue over the summer, as reported at the April 17 Faculty Senate meeting.

-Jess Kinsella contributed to this report