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New WCC resources on writing with GenAI for students
A message from the Writing and Communication Centre (WCC).
The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) has just released a new series of five resources that guide students on whether and how to use GenAI in their writing processes. The resources discuss the following topics:
"We've heard from students that they haven't received much information about using GenAI, so we created guides that speak directly to students about whether, how, and when to use GenAI in their writing process" says Clare Bermingham, Director of the Writing and Communication Centre.
Through examples, the guides discuss good prompt writing and illustrate how GenAI can be used to support tasks like brainstorming, drafting a research question, finding transition phrases, revising for clarity and organization, and editing. There are examples of undergraduate assignments from different disciplines, but the resources can be used by graduate students too.
In addition to sharing concrete examples, the resources encourage students to decide whether they should use GenAI for their purpose by considering if their use is ethical and productive. There are cautions and tips to help students manage their academic integrity and links to University policy and University resources.
"If students are introduced to GenAI in ways that help them become critical thinkers about GenAI and critical users of these technologies, then they'll be more prepared to make decisions about using it in co-op placements and in their future careers" says Bermingham.
If they are allowed to use GenAI and choose to, students are also encouraged to document their interactions with GenAI. The final resource on citing and documenting GenAI discusses documentation and offers some templates. Documentation helps students map the points of intersection between their GenAI use and their own research and drafting activities. It can also help them develop better awareness of and stronger decision-making in their research and writing processes.
Learning resources are one of many services that the Writing and Communication Centre has available. To learn more about our other services, like appointments and workshops, visit our website at uwaterloo.ca/wcc.
Ontario eSports scholarship gets an extra life
By Agata Antkiewicz.
In 2022, the University of Waterloo Games Institute secured $50,000 of funding over two years from the Ontario government to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in the gaming and esports industries. Following a successful first round of scholarships awarded to thirteen students (two graduate and eleven undergraduate) earlier this year, the second round is now open for applications.
The Games Institute is an interdisciplinary research network hub that seeks to advance the study, design and purpose of interactive, immersive technologies and experiences. It is a key part of the Waterloo tech ecosystem for its role in research, education, knowledge dissemination, outreach and collaboration.
The scholarship program is an interdisciplinary collaborative effort between the Games Institute and the faculties of Arts, Health, Math, Engineering and Science, part of an Ontario-wide allocation of one million dollars over two years across 18 institutions.
The scholarships are valued at $2,500 to $5,000 each and will support high-achieving graduate and undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing careers in the gaming and esports industries.
Interested students are invited to apply for the second round of scholarships.
Postdoc funding opportunities now available
This message is in support of National Postdoc Appreciation Week.
The AMTD Waterloo Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Scholars and the Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars are now accepting applications for the 2024 competitions.
Visit each program’s webpage for more information and join Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs at our postdoc funding opportunities webinar on October 12.
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2023.
Conrad Grebel wants you to Speak Your Peace
In celebration of Peace Week 2023, the Peace and Conflict Studies Department at Conrad Grebel University College invites you to share your thoughts in response to a set of questions displayed in Grebel’s Upper Atrium. Questions will be displayed from Thursday, September 21 to September 28, inviting participants to visually and creatively represent their responses.
"Be part of our shared exploration of justice and peace by adding your voice," says a note from Conrad Grebel.
Peace Week 2023 runs from Thursday, September 21 to Saturday, September 30, and the Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) and the PACS department at Grebel are organizing a series of events happening on the Waterloo campus, at Grebel, and in the local community. Check out the Peace Week Community Calendar put together by the Centre for Peace Advancement for more details.
Tuesday's notes
The Department of English is hosting a creative writing panel on Wednesday entitled "Writing for the Children’s Book Market."
"Join authors Jennifer Harris and Jessica Vitalis as they discuss their paths to publication in the children’s book market and offer advice for new writers," says a note from the English department. Jennifer Harris is the author of three books for children ages 4-8, most recently When You Were New (Harper Collins 2023). Jessica Vitalis’s Coyote Queen (Greenwillow/HarperCollins), her third novel for middle grade children, is forthcoming in October.
The event takes place Wednesday, September 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. in EV3 2402.
MA in Global Governance (MAGG) student Mayyu (Rahmat) Ali has curated an exhibit that will soon be on display at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. Jasbaa: The Art of Rohingya Refugee Resistance will run from Saturday, September 23 to September 29. The exhibit is funded by the Balsillie School of International Affairs, the International Migration Research Centre and Waterloo's Faculty of Arts.
Help plant a pollinator garden on campus: The Sustainability Office invites you to join them for a pollinator garden planting event on Wednesday, September 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. "Over the spring term, they hosted several events to remove a dense patch of garlic mustard and other invasive species along the hill adjacent to the parking lot between DWE and SCH," says a note from the Sustainability Office. "With support from the Invasive Species Centre’s Invasive Species Action Fund, they will be planting a variety of native plants before winter is here. Gloves, hand tools and light refreshments will be provided – no experience necessary!"
Student Awards & Financial Aid is encouraging students to apply for undergraduate awards while there's still time. "Search our database for hundreds of scholarship, award, and bursary opportunities based on a variety of criteria," says the note from SAFA. "Deadlines vary - first set of awards are due October 1."
Here's today's Consent Awareness Week tip of the day:
No one likes rejection and many people go through life trying to avoid it, however, rejection is part of life and part of consensual interactions. Everyone has the right to say no.
Tip: If someone says no to something you ask them to do, do not ask again, respect no the first time they convey it. Pestering, pushing, pressuring and manipulating someone into saying yes is NOT consent.