Generally, there are three kinds of software that could be used in college writing courses: word processing programs, interactive questionnaires, and text parsers. Although the benefits of these programs are well known, they still pose some problems. Word processors, for example, have been designed to "process" existing text; few have…

Discusses the advantages of a microcomputer program that provides exercises for writing practice at the elementary French level at Vanderbilt University. A "computerized workbook" was developed to provide further written practice and to accompany the textbook. The text and results of a questionnaire administered after the computer-based…

Suggest some ways in which computer assisted instruction can be designed to help freshman college students learn the conventions and grammatical forms of standard written English. Some specific instructional design considerations are discussed and the advantages of computer assisted instruction are outlined. Six figures and a reference list are…

Existing and potential applications of the computer to writing instruction are outlined, including choosing and developing a subject, text analysis, simulation, and motivation. Some concerns about computer use in writing instruction are also discussed. (MSE)

The format of the Instruction Dialogue Author Facility (IDAF) computer program has been applied to teaching clause analysis in college writing classes. The IDAF program exercises a great deal of control over a writing student's progression through lessons. Each of the writing lessons consists of one or more exchanges between the instructor and the…

Discusses the popularity of adventure games in computer assisted language learning and attributes the success of this format to the Input Hypothesis and the Affective Filter Hypothesis. Criteria for the instructional evaluation of these games are presented. (Author/SED)

Noting that teachers must devise writing situations that help students see possibilities for revision beyond mechanics and usage, this paper describes several exercises that will help students use the computer or word processor as a tool for assisting them when they write. The exercises, which can be done with or without a microcomputer, with a…

"Compupoem" is a program that helps students write poems, emphasizes process/product, and encourages divergent problem-solving. A description of the program, sample student session, and an example of a completed poem are provided. The Computers and Poetry Project which produces elementary/secondary-level, interactive poetry-writing…

Reviews four specific prewriting activities designed to foster prewriting and avoid premature drafting on the computer: freewriting, electronic journal-keeping, idea-generation, and online "conversations." Provides hints for developing lesson files, reviews current prewriting and hypertext software, and provides tips on selecting software. (14…

Presents a combination review and teaching guide to HOMER, a computer program for writing instruction that analyzes text and has a feedback feature which encourages students to question its revision suggestions. (NKA)

This volume consists of nine conference papers and journal articles concerned with microcomputer applications in the teaching of writing. After a general introduction entitled "Computer-Assisted Composition Instruction: The State of the Art," by Robert Shostak, four papers are devoted to how computers may help with the writing process. In…

Teachers can use the World Wide Web to create multimedia foreign language activities without expensive software. Describes and includes a lesson plan for a mystery game suitable for high school advanced placement or intermediate university Spanish students requiring students to work together solving clues and writing short compositions. Includes…

Evaluates software developed for advanced learners of a second language. The software uses the target language (German) exclusively, brings together language and literature teaching, and includes a large variety of written exercises with scored feedback. Findings reveal that students are enthusiastic about using this multimedia program and…

A series of computer programs have been developed at Michigan Technological University for use with technical writing and technical communications classes. The first type of program in the series, CURIE II, includes process-based modules, each of which corresponds to one of the following assignments: memoranda, resumes, feasibility reports,…

Most educational computer software currently available severely restricts the kinds of interaction that can take place between the student and the computer. In fact, an examination of 317 language arts programs listed in a directory of educational software shows that 60% of the programs were of the drill and practice type. In response to this…