Case Study
University of Arkansas
Unlocking Potential Through Continuous Writing Feedback at University of Arkansas
Leigh Southward, Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas, teaches large lecture courses ranging from 90 to 200 students, including Introduction to Clothing Concepts, Introduction to Textiles, and History of Dress. She began using Packback Deep Dives in 2022 to help students strengthen their research, writing, and critical thinking skills—especially in a discipline where factual accuracy and citation matter.
Key Takeaways
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50% of students improved their performance by over half a letter grade
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85% of students felt Deep Dives improved their critical thinking
Situation
Before using Deep Dives, Leigh found that student submissions were often poorly structured, lacked credible sources, and demonstrated weak grammar and organization.
- Student writing frequently included anecdotal or off-topic content, especially in research-driven courses like History of Dress.
- LMS tools did little to support writing development, leaving Leigh to correct grammar, syntax, and structure manually.
- Assignments often earned low B or high C grades due to lack of clarity, coherence, and research support.
Action
To support better writing outcomes, Leigh implemented Packback Deep Dives and introduced it to students by modeling how to use the tool effectively.
- Deep Dives offered real-time, instructional feedback on grammar, structure, research integration, and citation use.
- Leigh demonstrated the platform in class, helping students distinguish Deep Dives from “automated” AI tools like ChatGPT.
- Students received continuous feedback as they wrote, encouraging more thoughtful drafting and revision.
Result
Deep Dives significantly improved student writing quality, research rigor, and engagement—while also easing Leigh’s grading workload.
- 85% of students reported that Deep Dives improved their critical thinking.
- Students’ average grades rose by over half a letter grade, with most submissions landing in the high B to low A range.
- Submissions became more thoughtful, well-organized, and research-supported—especially notable in courses like History of Dress.
- Leigh experienced a 30–40% reduction in grading time, enabling her to assign more writing without burnout.
“Deep Dives is a tool that can actually help you and your students. Listen to what Deep Dives can do for your courses and take the jump. I did, and it completely changed the way I was able to go about my teaching. Meet with them; you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Leigh Southward
Fashion Professor, University of Arkansas
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