"Looking Back as We Look Ahead" by Kathleen Blake Yancey

Kathleen Blake Yancey, a voice I am coming to enjoy hearing very much, once again reminds us of the numerous changes that have occurred in the field of writing assessment since the first steps towards improvement on the old, stilted methods of the 1950’s and before.

She both reveals more details of the three waves, as she clarifies their distinct methodologies, as well as the way they do overlap each other. I believe the metaphor of “waves” creates the visualization, making it more powerful as one thinks of the meshing of ideas and often the overpowering and eradication.

I was a young student during both the first and second waves, and recall some of the more simplistic tests as well as the varying styles of teacher feedback. As a returning student, I was delighted at the new assessment tools in use, particularly portfolios, which is also used in other departments outside of English. My children were younger student during the early days of the Third Wave, so some of these transitions were not brand new to me. However, they were new for me as a student, and I immediately recognized the value of portfolios over a multiple choice test on reading!

Yancey also speaks about reflection as a necessity in preparing one’s portfolio and that is what makes the portfolio experience so dynamic. In the undergrad program when I was assigned to prepare my portfolio, I followed the outline carefully, as I had never done this before and wanted to do it correctly. While I was putting the items together and making it look like something one might want to view, I found myself taking a few hours reflecting on what I was creating out of what I had done. And that was before I knew about Yancey or reflection! The outcome was delightful as I enjoyed the stroll through my work as much as the task of preparing it for presentation to my advisors. The short piece I was required to write as the portfolios companion piece was easy and very upbeat, so my portfolio conference was a positive, enjoyable experience. Also, the review of my work proved beneficial to me for the balance of the semester.

Getting back to the beginning or First Wave, Paul Diederich was really an impressive pioneer. The problem throughout all three waves seems to be money. That, as in many other aspects of life, underlies the efforts made by so many, including the model by Peter Elbow and Belanoff (now defunct)—despite the improvements that could be made, and the far reach they would bear, if it is not cheap enough, it cannot be used. Nonetheless, all the ideas—good or bad—have led to improvements that are implemented here today.