Spring 2022
News and Updates
Ministry funding, welcoming our 20th institution, highlights of student feedback, and more!
Ministry Funding Provides a Boost to BC ELN Learner Support Services
$60,000 in funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training has been granted to AskAway and WriteAway. These funds will provide support as service participants adjust to increased usage demands in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bridge funding will also allow for BC ELN to bring onboard new institutions who may need some support in meeting WriteAway staffing expectations.

BC ELN partner libraries stepped up during the pandemic to provide support to students and this funding recognizes the value of our continued collaborative approach.
WriteAway Welcomes Yukon University
Yukon University joined WriteAway in April 2022, becoming the service’s 20th participating institution!

With campuses in Ayamdigut (Whitehorse), Carcross, Carmacks, Dawson City, Faro, Haines Junction, Mayo, NorthLight Innovation, Old Crow, Pelly Crossing, Ross River, Teslin, and Watson Lake, the inclusion of Yukon University allows for students north of 60 to access the online writing support that WriteAway provides.

We warmly welcome their incoming staff and look forward to working with Yukon University students!
Working Together
Institutional coordinators came together in December and again in April for roundtable discussions on how WriteAway can most effectively support both students and service providers.

These meetings have highlighted how effective WriteAway is as a collaborative effort across all participating institutions. Through explorative discussion, participating coordinators offered candid reflections on the role of service providers and shared valuable insights for updating the delivery of staff orientation.
Photo by Windows on Unsplash
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WRITEAWAY EXPERIENCE
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Students appreciate the thoughtful encouragement that goes into a WriteAway response.
“I have used WriteAway a lot, and overall, I have had great experiences. This one included! Thanks for the help! I am learning to self edit and I feel much, much more confident as a writer."

Thompson Rivers University Student

“Found the entire process exceptionally easy and will definitely be doing this again! Thank you all for your time and efforts; really beneficial to furthering my writing skills.” 

British Columbia Institute of Technology Student

“It was really nice to get not only some notes about improvements, but also compliments about the strengths of my work! Thank you.”
 
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Student
STAFF FEEDBACK
Our staff collectively agree that helping students develop their writing skills is the best part of the service.
“I like the opportunity for students to get writing feedback from other sources than instructors. I also like the opportunity to reflect about feedback, as it is not in real time.” 
Service Provider for 1 year

“I really like how students who take the time to care can receive real feedback to help them grow as writers. I also really appreciate that the students get multiple opportunities to revise.” 
Service Provider for 2 years

“I like the flexibility of the work, and that I feel like I am making a concrete and direct difference to an individual with each response."
Service Provider for 3 years
2021 WriteAway Actions & Achievements
WriteAway's annual report provides participating institutions, the larger BC post-secondary community, and the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training an important summary of how WriteAway supports students, offers exponential savings for the post-secondary sector, and enhances learning communities. The 2021 report includes:
  • How WriteAway maintained increased staffing contributions to meet student need for uninterrupted online writing support
  • Students share how WriteAway responses guide the development of writing skills
WriteAway is a service of the BC Electronic Library Network (BC ELN).
Questions? Contact the WriteAway Administrative Centre.