Discusses creativity and the teacher's importance in providing a context that encourages creative thought. Contrasts the author's success in teaching technical writing to college juniors and seniors with her experiences in using the Macintosh personal computer to teach first year composition. Notes that computers alone cannot stimulate creativity.…

Outlines a first-day lesson plan for a first-year writing class in which the instructor engages students at the outset in building an electronic online community. Provides step-by-step methods and discusses specific advice for what to do and not to do within the context of achieving an online emphasis. (HB)

Describes the use of local area networks (LANs) in basic college composition instruction. Offers examples of interchanges between student writers and peers reacting to compositions. Argues for freer student use of classroom networks in open discourse, as excessive limits on network use eviscerate its potential. (SG)