Writing Center Miscellany

Hey all,

I just thought I'd share some thoughts of mine on WC stuff that we haven't really touched on yet (mostly because I don't want to repeating anything we said in class... seems to be a running theme for me today, ha ha).

Yesterday (Monday) was an interesting day for me. I work from 9 'til noon on Monday mornings, and I fully expected to get in a few observations in. Murphy's Law, however, was in full effect (look it up). I was informed early on that my duties included my first receptionist shift at 11. Now for anyone that hasn't worked as a receptionist yet, let me spoil it for you now: it ain't that difficult. You just need to get used to it. Granted, I'm still not sure how to work the phone yet (I get the feeling I'd disconnect anyone on line 2 or up), but it can't be that bad in the long run.

Of course, my plans were also complicated by my first experience with writing center presentations. This one (Peer Editing/Response) was run by Daniel, a GWC, for anyone who hasn't met him yet. Basically, it looks like if you've worked in the center for any amount of time, you'll be expected/coerced/shanghaied into giving these presentations involving all kinds of writing- and writing center-related goodness. Needless to say, it looks like it could get a little boring after a while if it's a common presentation (like I'm sure peer response probably is). Not to disparage their usefulness in defining our mission or anything, but... the students that the professor brought in (for IAH 205, I believe) didn't seem too interested in hearing about a topic they've probably had shoved down their throats since middle school. This one went an hour long, which I assume is common, but if all the aspects of this particular topic would have been explored, as Daniel told me later, it could have easily ran another hour. So I suppose expedience is desirable when it comes to these things.

So, needless to say (saying it anyway), I didn't get any observations in on Monday. Guess that means Wednesday will be pretty busy, ha ha. I know that this stuff is probably old hat for ya'll by now. Does anyone else have any comments on what they've seen in presentations or in general operations of the Bessey Writing Center? I'd also like to know about the library satellite, or any of the others that any of you may have worked at.

Righto, guess that's all.