Patricia A. Gourley-Biggs

ENG 608

July 9, 2003

biggsReport5

Website Critique: National Writing Project

Recommended grade or skill level: Elementary, Middle-Secondary Teachers or Writers

Internet Address: http://www.writingproject.org/

Cost: Membership is free

Description: The colorful and graphic homepage opens with choices that include: About NWP, Calendar, Programs, Publications, and Resources as parts to utilize. The page About NWP states: "The mission of the National Writing Project (NWP) is to improve the teaching of writing and improve learning in the nation’s schools…professional development model NWP focuses on these three key areas: teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership…NWP identifies access to high quality educational experiences as a basic right of all learners and a cornerstone to equity…with an enormous network of teachers NWP facilitates exemplary instruction of writing in all of America’s classrooms…Race, gender, class, ethnicity, and language diversity are all valued by NWP…enriching everyone’s life and teaching practices in NWP, teachers, students, their families, and their communities."

Critique: The site is easy to access and immediately demonstrates to the viewer the purpose of the site is for the improvement of writing and learning in America’s schools. The viewer can readily identify what to do and how to use the site without directions or prior instruction. The site is for teachers and writers to share ideas and practices that are exemplary in the instruction of writing to learners. Each page is the website is easily identifiable and clearly expressed in general terms that are easily understood by the viewer. Navigation through the website is easy beginning at home just click on each word. Click on the word contact to contact NWP for communication. Then click on search to conduct a search, or click on map for a map of NWP sites. One can click on about NWP for a description of the writing project, or click on calendar for a list of NWP events. Then click on programs for a run down of NWP programs, click on publications for information on NWP publications, and click on resources for an abundant list of sites and sources for information on writing.

This is an excellent website for teachers to draw upon the expertise and knowledge of colleagues to find exemplary practices that improve the instruction of writing and learning of their students. I would recommend this website to writers who are interested in improving their writing skills or would like to implement a writing workshop with their fellow writers. The NWP resource contains a wealth of writing material from prose to poetry with sections that include works by American writers. Most importantly this website provides membership that is FREE!!!!