Duke Reader Project can support course blogs

The Duke Reader Project is an initiative of Duke’s Thompson Writing Program that connects students with members of the Duke community so students can get feedback on their writing from members of the target audience for that writing.

Faculty at the university who are using WordPress MU as a way for students to make their writing public beyond the confines of the classroom hope that people with an interest in the course topics will find these blog and will then take the time to post comments. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed audience for student blogs, and most students actually receive few or no replies to the writing they post.

The Duke Reader Project now provides a way for Duke instructors to secure engaged audiences for their students’ blogs. Beginning in 2011, Reader Project volunteers–Duke alumni and employees–will be invited to join the conversations on some of these blogs. Volunteers who sign on to one of these blogs will follow the course blog during the semester and post comments in response to student entries.

If you are a faculty member interested in participating in the Project and having Duke community members comment on your course blogs in meaningful ways, you can find out more  at the Reader Project website or contact the Project Manager for more information.