A recent study at Miami University‘s Howe Writing Across the Curriculum (HWAC) emphasizes the importance of naming writing assignments effectively. It proposes that appropriate assignment names can teach disciplinary language, activate previous knowledge, and aid knowledge transfer. Consistent naming helps build a shared vocabulary and improves students’ ability to connect skills across different courses.
The key findings of the study are as follows:
- Students make assumptions about assignments based on their names.
- Names emphasize what instructors want students to learn/do.
- Effective naming aids in evaluating assignments.
- Names introduce and reinforce skills/genres.
- Consistent naming helps integrate learning across courses.
Read more on the Howe Writing Across the Curriculum website.