Writing to learn

Writing-to-learn: using "low stakes" writing activities in the classroom. These should not take much time for students to do or for you to mark.

Tips on using Write-to-Learn Activities

Experiment! -- some activities will fit your discipline more than others
Incorporate the writing activity into the lesson, allowing students to see directly or indirectly how the writing seeks to enhance the learning objectives.
After students have written, call on several of them to read what they have written. Reading their writing out loud will force them to pay attention to how they have stated their ideas and will encourage them to look at their written words. Try not to make judgmental comments, either good or bad, after students have read. Remember that you are encouraging them to commit ideas to paper.
"But I don't have time to grade all this stuff!" No need to! You can...

collect them and give students C/NC
have students exchange them and read each other's responses
have students share them orally in groups
let students keep them to help them get started on writing assignments or study for tests