Using Technology in Texas' Integrated

Reading and Writing (INRW) Classroom:

Aplia, CourseReader, and WriteExperience

Using Technology in the INRW Classroom

• Instant feedback on assignments

• Individualized instruction

• Computer literacy

• Effective and real-time communication

• Content variety

• Real-world documents

• Deliberate practice

• First exposure

Single Sign-on for Students and Instructors

• Students and instructors can access Aplia, CourseReader, and

WriteExperience using one website: www.cengage.com/sso

What is Aplia?

• Aplia is an online lab program that integrates reading and writing by

reinforcing key concepts taught in the classroom.

• It focuses on reading, writing, and grammar skills and allows students to work

at their own pace or as directed by their instructor.

• Aplia is also directly linked to the Fusion textbooks.

Setting up Aplia for your courses:

• Cengage offers technology training for instructors before your semester

begins.

• Cengage also provides a Course Care representative who will assist all

instructors at your campus with setting up the Aplia course(s).

• Everything will be ready for you before the first day of class!

• If you do have any questions, you can call or email your Course Care rep and

receive a response in a very timely manner.

Benefits for Instructors using Aplia

Benefits for Instructors using Aplia

Managing Aplia sections:

• If you are teaching multiple

sections, all of them can be listed

under one Aplia account.

• Instructors can access information

by class, by individual student,

or by all students.

Benefits for Instructors using Aplia

Customizing your Aplia courses:

• Aplia has reading and writing diagnostic tests that generate individual and/or

class reports.

• Instructors can align weekly Aplia lessons and assignments with the textbook.

• Instructors can allow multiple attempts with different questions for each

attempt and customize scoring.

• Aplia grades assignments automatically, gives students feedback for incorrect

answers, and stores grades in an LMS compatible grade book.

• **The integrated diagnostic will be available August 1st.**

**Available August 1st

Integrated Reading and Writing, Level I

Understanding Structure in Paragraphs

Topics

Topic Sentences

Main Ideas

Supporting Details

Organization and Coherence (in Shorter Passages)

Basic Patterns of Organization

Recognizing Transitional Words, Phrases, and

Sentences

Word Knowledge

Context Clues

Connotation and Denotation

Word Parts

Critical Thinking Skills

Recognizing the Author’s Purpose

Recognizing Bias

Recognizing Tone

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

Grammar

Modifier Use

Homonyms

Punctuation

Subject-Verb Agreement

Verb Tenses

Pronoun Use

Fragment/Run-Ons

Diagnostic Assessment: Integrated Reading + Writing, Level 1

**Available August 1st, 2013

Integrated Reading & Writing, Level II

Understanding Structure in Paragraphs and Essays

Main Ideas

Supporting Details

Thesis Statements

Organization and Coherence (in Longer Passages)

Mixed Patterns of Organization

Recognizing Transitional Words, Phrases, and

Sentences

Using Evidence (Identifying and Incorporating)

Word Knowledge

Context Clues

Critical Thinking Skills

Evaluating Argument

Recognizing Tone

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

Grammar

Parallelism

Modifier Use

Homonyms

Punctuation

Subject-Verb Agreement

Verb Tenses

Pronoun Use

Fragment/Run-Ons

Diagnostic Assessment: Integrated Reading + Writing, Level 2

Benefits for Students using Aplia

• Aplia can be bundled with the Fusion textbooks, so students purchase the

access code at a discounted price.

• With Aplia, students also receive an electronic version of the textbook.

• Aplia can be done in a lab setting during class or assigned for homework.

Students can complete their Aplia assignments anywhere they have internet

access.

• Aplia provides students with a variety of questions and assignments, including

media types, so that students will stay engaged and retain more information.

• Students have a three-week grace period with access to the textbook and the

Aplia site.

Benefits for Students using Aplia

• Aplia is organized by weekly assignments.

• Students have the option of working ahead.

• Aplia also sends email alerts to students reminding

them when their Aplia assignments are due.

• Aplia provides Practice Reviews so instructors will

not need to create exam reviews.

• Instructors have instant access to student

performance on every lesson to help design

individualized lectures and discussions.

Comments from Students about Aplia

“I like doing the work on Aplia rather than paper. It’s easier and more hands-on.”

“It’s online, fast, and doesn’t require a book.”

“It goes further to give more clarity on what is taught in class.”

“It’s nice that you can do it anywhere you have internet access.”

“Instant grading and email reminders!”

“Aplia is very helpful because if you do not choose the correct answer, it gives

you an explanation, and you are able to try it again.”

Comments from Students about Aplia

“I like that you can go back and re-read the text while answering questions…very

helpful!”

“It gives you examples of essays and helps you to get started on yours.”

“In Aplia, it gives me kind of an idea of what’s going to be on the test. It pretty

much helps you prepare for upcoming exercises or quizzes we may take in

class.”

“It gives more than one chance, and it explains why your answers are incorrect.”

“I like how it gives a quick run though on what will be discussed in class that

week.”

Aplia

Questions about Aplia?

What is CourseReader?

• CourseReader is a collection of high-interest

articles covering current, controversial topics.

• Each instructor at a campus is able to create his

or her own customized readers and can change

them from semester to semester.

• Like Aplia, CourseReader is also very user-

friendly; creating readers takes only a few steps.

• Public notes/highlights are available (teaching

what’s important and what’s not in a text).

• Instructors can also embed assignments.

Benefits for Students using CourseReader

• The CourseReader can be accessed anywhere students have internet

access.

• Students can read selections online or print them as PDF documents.

• There are highlighting and note-taking functions available.

• Some selections also have review and essay questions at the end.

• Students can listen to the article.

• All material is credible; Cengage has a partnership with Gale.

Benefits for Students using CourseReader

Ways to Use CourseReader in INRW Courses

• Article Analysis assignments

• We assign 5 article analysis throughout the course of the semester.

• Students are able to select any article from our CourseReaders to write their

analysis on.

• These are an excellent way to integrate reading and writing.

• We count these as 10% of our total grade in the course.

Ways to Use CourseReader in INRW Courses

• In-Class Discussions

• We assign CourseReader articles on a weekly basis and discuss them

during class.

• Students are usually very interested in the articles, which often sparks good

discussion and debate.

• This is also a good tool for teaching the rhetorical styles of writing as

students read examples of professional essays written in different modes.

Ways to Use CourseReader in INRW Courses

• Essay Assignments

• Instructors can also use CourseReader articles as the basis for essay

assignments.

• This is a great way to teach students how to incorporate source material into

their essays.

• It is also a good way to teach MLA documentation.

CourseReader

Questions aboutCourseReader?

What is WriteExperience?

• WriteExperience

• Students receive instant feedback on their drafts.

• Students can submit up to ten drafts per essay assignment.

• Instructors can score students essays and provide comments all in one

grading platform.

• The topics are broad enough for students to use creative thinking.

• Students have a personal writing tutor.

• Students receive ongoing, dynamic feedback.

What is WriteExperience?

• Students have more practice without adding to the instructor’s workload.

• There are 16 trained prompts to choose from (starting Fall 2013).

• Great tool for Non-Course Based Options.

• Students can use WriteExperience for all writing assignments for all courses

using the My Editor function.

My Editor

Scoring and Comments in WriteExperience

Visual Performance Level

Print Option Available for Peer Workshops

WriteExperience

Questions about WriteExperience?

Kina Lara

San Jacinto College – South

281-998-6150 ext. 3774

Kina.Siriphant-Lara@sjcd.edu

Tanya Stanley

San Jacinto College – Central

281-998-6150 ext. 1338

Tanya.Stanley@sjcd.edu

Thank you for joining us today!