From learning-to-write to writing-to-learn: incorporating writing across the curriculum in Indian Engineering pedagogy

Abstract

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is a pedagogical practice incorporating writing elements in curriculum design. Using writing as a learning medium, students can build their narrative of knowledge. This paper showcases successful design and implementations of WAC in undergraduate and graduate science and engineering courses at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. Through the two aspects of WAC—learning-to-write and writing-to-learn—the courses could equip students in the way of enhancing their written communication skills in English and improving their learning capacities through writing. This paper first discusses the theoretical background of WAC as a critical component of the curriculum design of science and engineering courses. Secondly, it elaborates on the ideation, design, and execution of various pedagogical practices in WAC. It offers modules and exercises designed for interventions in specific courses, and discusses its effect on improving the students’ capacities to learn and communicate through writing.