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Difference between revisions of "Decoding as a writing process"

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Although frequently featured, the [[Step 2 - Decoding Interview|Decoding interview]] is by now means the exclusive method for decoding expertise. Svenja Kaduk and Swantje Lahm have developed a structured writing process that allows teachers to decode their expertise by themselves. To this end they answer a series of questions about the bottleneck and then about the thinking they do to get through the bottleneck. The questions are provided as writing prompts. Originally the prompts have been written in German.<ref>[[Decoding the Disciplines - Ein Ansatz für forschendes Lernen und Lehren]]</ref>
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Although frequently featured, the [[Step 2 - Decoding Interview|Decoding interview]] is by now means the exclusive method for decoding expertise. Svenja Kaduk and Swantje Lahm have developed a structured writing process that allows teachers to decode their expertise by themselves. To this end, they answer a series of questions about the bottleneck and then about the thinking they do to get through the bottleneck. The questions are provided as writing prompts. Originally the prompts have been written in German.<ref>[[Decoding the Disciplines - Ein Ansatz für forschendes Lernen und Lehren]]</ref>
  
Formally the writing process is a combination of Steps 1 and 2 of the [[Decoding the Disciplines|Decoding process]].
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Formally, the writing process is a combination of Steps 1 and 2 of the [[Decoding the Disciplines|Decoding process]].
 
==Writing prompts==
 
==Writing prompts==
 
[[File:writing process.jpg|alt=photo of writing prompts printed on cards|thumb|Flash cards containing writing prompts]]
 
[[File:writing process.jpg|alt=photo of writing prompts printed on cards|thumb|Flash cards containing writing prompts]]
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===What do you do?===
 
===What do you do?===
Describe what you as an expert in your discipline) do, such that you do not get stuck. For example ask yourself: What do I do to cope with the bottleneck?
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Describe what you as an expert in your discipline do, such that you do not get stuck. For example ask yourself: What do I do to cope with the bottleneck?
  
 
===Check===
 
===Check===
 
Look again at the bottleneck and ask yourself: Have I selected a too large bottleneck? Or one that is too small? Is its description too vague? Is the bottleneck really about an issue which is essential to my discipline or class?
 
Look again at the bottleneck and ask yourself: Have I selected a too large bottleneck? Or one that is too small? Is its description too vague? Is the bottleneck really about an issue which is essential to my discipline or class?
  
Again, describe the bottleneck as precisely as possible. Ask yourself: Is the bottleneck is related to characteristic misconceptions?
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Again, describe the bottleneck as precisely as possible. Ask yourself: Is the bottleneck related to characteristic misconceptions?
  
 
===What experts do===
 
===What experts do===
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Many of these steps may be so obvious to you that you are not aware of them. Try to make yourself aware of these steps and break large steps down into as many sub-steps as possible.
 
Many of these steps may be so obvious to you that you are not aware of them. Try to make yourself aware of these steps and break large steps down into as many sub-steps as possible.
  
Example: A specialist in German studies says: Students must first observe before they interpret. The next question would be: What does a Germanist do when she observes?
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Example: A specialist in German studies says: "Students must first observe before they interpret." The next question would be: What does a Germanist do when she observes?
  
===Ask for feedback (1)===
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===Ask for feedback (1)===
 
Explain the learning obstacle to a colleague from another subject. Then describe what you do as a professional. The colleague will ask if he/she has not understood something.
 
Explain the learning obstacle to a colleague from another subject. Then describe what you do as a professional. The colleague will ask if he/she has not understood something.
  

Revision as of 18:01, 25 July 2024

Although frequently featured, the Decoding interview is by now means the exclusive method for decoding expertise. Svenja Kaduk and Swantje Lahm have developed a structured writing process that allows teachers to decode their expertise by themselves. To this end, they answer a series of questions about the bottleneck and then about the thinking they do to get through the bottleneck. The questions are provided as writing prompts. Originally the prompts have been written in German.[1]

Formally, the writing process is a combination of Steps 1 and 2 of the Decoding process.

Writing prompts

photo of writing prompts printed on cards
Flash cards containing writing prompts


Determine the bottleneck

Ask yourself: In which situation do students struggle or fail in my class? What type of tasks or (exam) problems are regularly difficult for them? List some of these situations.

Then decide to proceed with a bottleneck on your list you are really concerned about.

Explicate the bottleneck

Describe the bottleneck as precisely as possible. What is it that students don't do or don't do correctly? What is it that they don't understand?

What do you do?

Describe what you as an expert in your discipline do, such that you do not get stuck. For example ask yourself: What do I do to cope with the bottleneck?

Check

Look again at the bottleneck and ask yourself: Have I selected a too large bottleneck? Or one that is too small? Is its description too vague? Is the bottleneck really about an issue which is essential to my discipline or class?

Again, describe the bottleneck as precisely as possible. Ask yourself: Is the bottleneck related to characteristic misconceptions?

What experts do

How professionals proceed

Try to describe in more detail how a professional in your discipline would proceed when faced with the problem: What steps would a professional take to accomplish the task? What would he/she do?

Many of these steps may be so obvious to you that you are not aware of them. Try to make yourself aware of these steps and break large steps down into as many sub-steps as possible.

Example: A specialist in German studies says: "Students must first observe before they interpret." The next question would be: What does a Germanist do when she observes?

Ask for feedback (1)

Explain the learning obstacle to a colleague from another subject. Then describe what you do as a professional. The colleague will ask if he/she has not understood something.

Get feedback (2)

...

Continue writing

...

Detect difficulties

...

Continue writing

...

Reflect

...

References