We describe writing assignments that have been integrated into technical courses in the Engineering Technology Department at Western Washington University. These assignments serve several purposes, allowing students to increase their understanding of technical material, their critical thinking skills, and their writing skills. By making writing assignments part of the content development of technical classes, student motivation is improved, and so, as a result, is their effort level. These assignments complement the more traditional writing-based courses students com-plete. While writing assignments in technical classes do use lecture time and require additional faculty effort, they are worthy investments in student learning.
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