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How to Teach Writing Using Hybrid Learning Technology with Stylefit

Engage writing students in self-directed and collaborative learning using Stylefit’s online interactive feedback tool.

Hybrid learning environment, online teaching, student writing in a notebook.

Explore the advantages of using Stylefit, an online feedback tool for writing

Stylefit is an interactive online software designed to improve students’ writing skills by providing immediate, meaningful feedback.

On this three-week course, you’ll examine how to introduce Stylefit into classrooms and learning environments and embed its use into your writing classes.

Engage learners using interactive educational technology

Stylefit’s interactive interface encourages learners to experiment with writing, without the fear of failing.

On this course, you’ll discover how the software demonstrates the impact of word choice, seeing first-hand how the tone and style of a message can change completely by altering just a single word.

Using example activities, you’ll understand how to integrate Stylefit into your lessons and explain how it can enhance intended learning outcomes.

Encourage learner autonomy with instant, constructive feedback

Learners are prompted to take ownership of their writing development, through self-directed content creation, analysis, and editing of their own work.

You’ll explore Stylefit’s Grid and learn how it analyses writing, providing individualised feedback that can then be instantly acted upon.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to embed this tool into your writing lessons, allowing Stylefit to deliver feedback whilst you give further guidance and support.

Help learners improve their skills across writing styles

You’ll learn how, whatever writing styles your learners are developing, Stylefit can guide students to create meaningful writing that connects with their target audience, by adapting tone and expression in their writing.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand how Stylefit can enhance writing classes, improve learning outcomes, and encourage educational autonomy within your classroom.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Teach students to write with our online tool, Stylefit

    • Meet your course leaders!

      Watch this short video to meet your course leaders, Suraya Dewing (Author, Stylefit CEO and Course Creator) and Anna Zhigareva (Linguist, Stylefit Ambassador and Course Co-creator).

    • Getting to know Stylefit

      Follow this walk-through exercise to see how Stylefit encourages students to develop their written pieces. Try writing a simple introductory statement and submit it to Stylefit. Eg. Hello. My name is Suraya.

    • Quiz

      Take this short quiz to check your understanding so far.

  • Week 2

    Teaching writing skills using emails

    • Week 2 introduction video

      Watch this short introduction video to find out what you will be covering this week.

    • Writing emails using Stylefit

      We all send emails daily, for a multitude of reasons. These may be updates to friends, enquiries about a product, applications to jobs, and so many more. As with other writing, it is important to write these in a suitable style.

    • Engaging the email recipient

      Approximately 333.2 billion emails are sent per day, which works out at over 3.5 million emails per second. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, receives 500 emails a day. So how does a writer catch an email reader's attention?

    • Write a persuasive email

      This activity is to demonstrate how emails can vary in tone and style.

    • Write an informative email

      This is on another section of the grid. Taking the theme of eels, we will write an email that informs the reader about eels.

    • Write an emotionally expressive email

      This is an exercise in writing expressively about a subject. You will see that this email uses a lot of adverbs, but it also shows (by the eels' description) why the writer likes what, for many, would be a repulsive creature.

    • Write a descriptive email

      Have a look at this example of a descriptive email and give crafting your own a go!

    • Write an email that combines all styles

      In this exercise we are looking at emails that use all the various styles. Compare it to the other emails. Try writing your own that lands in a similar part of the grid.

    • In summary

      Writing emails is a huge part of daily life. We want ours to engage our reader(s) and to keep reading to the end. Then we want them to react in some way so we need to also be clear about how we want our reader to respond.

    • End of week task

      Have a go at writing some emails and edit them on Stylefit to land in the right place for your intended audience and style.

  • Week 3

    Generate feedback that encourages students

    • Design feedback that reflects students' needs

      For example: Stylefit's feedback is carefully worded so that learners are encouraged to analyse their writing without feeling they have somehow failed.

    • Helpful feedback makes writers fearless

      Experiment with writing constructive feedback.

    • In summary

      A summary of what we have covered in this week.

    • Check your understanding

      In this final quiz, you'll evaluate your understanding of feedback.

    • Concluding the course

      It's time to say good-bye, but hopefully not for long!

When would you like to start?

  • Date to be announced

Add to Wishlist to be emailed when new dates are announced

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of how to use Stylefit to enable your students to be self-directed learners and improve their writing skills
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Stylefit which teachers can then pass on to their students
  • Create lesson plans that stretch students writing skills and knowledge
  • Apply Stylefit to any writing you have done and see what Stylefit tells you
  • Describe how language changes according to purpose and intent
  • Critique writing for style and alignment with desired outcomes

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for teachers and tutors of writing skills, working in primary and secondary schools, as well as further education settings.

What software or tools do you need?

Computer or Tablet is all you need. You can even use your phone. Internet link or Wifi.

Who will you learn with?

Suraya has a Master of Creative Writing (Auckland University, NZ). Her interest in technology led to creating Stylefit® an interactive tool that gives feedback so writers can edit in real time.

Who developed the course?

Stylefit

We make the experience of mastering writing skills enjoyable. Stylefit® takes pressure off teachers by challenging students to independently experiment with writing without fear of failing. It engages students by giving them immediate, valuable feedback. Teachers set the task and coach any students who need personalised assistance, leaving the rest in the class to get on with their writing projects. It is interactive and available online.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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