Procedures are at the crux of most of our daily activities, from when we wake up with a morning routine to when we head to bed with a nightly routine, as well as everything in between. However, many people do not keep a written paper telling them these steps as we have learned, practiced and know these routines by heart.
What about when learning something new? Most people are trained or provided a written piece that tells them the steps to accomplish the task; those steps are followed and practiced, usually leading to a complete and final product.
Procedural writing is just that: breaking a task down so anyone can follow the directions and have a final product at the end. But what happens if you are missing steps? How do you write a Procedure? This quarter, the 2nd year cohort learned these lessons in their Critical Thinking Through Writing course.
Making a Sandwich Using Procedural Writing
Students grouped up and were given tasks they had all completed many times. The groups were instructed to write down the steps in as much detail as possible. It seemed easy, but students learned it was more challenging than they first thought when their instructor performed their procedures in class.
Students quickly realized that not being specific enough or having steps mixed up would lead to a very different result than the end task they wanted someone to get to. This resulted in some frustration, some confusion and a lot of hilarity.
Once they realized the instructor would follow what they wrote exactly as they had written it, the students started making changes to ensure the instructor followed the directions correctly and to their standard. In every group’s case, they pivoted and were able to verbally adapt what they had written so that it made more sense and was more specific.
This type of adaptability, collaboration and communication will help OLS students far beyond this program. These skills transcend OLS, making the students more well-rounded and able to see, adapt and change issues in the moment, as well as learning that they can change the outcome of an action with proper communication.
Students learned the importance of Procedural Writing, and we also connected that to how procedures help to teach new skills, specifically in the workplace. Students also did some self-reflection on what it feels like to create the procedure and what it must feel like for the person trying to complete a task with a method that needs to be more specific.
About the OLSBC Critical Thinking Through Writing Course
Critical Thinking Through Writing is taken in the second year of the OLSBC program and is one of the many courses students take to earn their associate degree. In this course, students research, analyze, and debate current social issues using argumentative and persuasive formats.
About Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College
Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College (OLSBC) is an associate degree program for students with learning disabilities. In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals.
Learn more about our program at an upcoming Information Session, open to all prospective students, family members/guardians, educators, counselors and other service providers. Come learn why OLS Bellevue College is one of the best colleges for students with learning disabilities.
Last Updated February 29, 2024
