I hated in-class writing assignments when I was a student, which is why I never assign them now as a faculty member.
I understand that a lot of pedagogical literature and anecdotal experience would suggest that my view is misguided. This column is not an argument against anyone else’s choice to make students write in class with a gun to their heads. I just don’t like it. I want my in-class time to be interactive and useful, and I want my writing time to be for writing.