Peer-response remains a central process in first-year composition; faculty can make it effective and efficient by "spotlighting"--designing the process as digital, emergent, and distributive. In this article, the author first elaborates on his own use of peer-response terminology. He favors "peer-response" as the descriptive term for…

This article presents an exchange between Kip Strasma and Elizabeth Tomlinson. Strasma responds to "Gender and Peer Response" by Tomlinson, and Tomlinson responds to Strasma's ""Spotlighting": Peer-Response in Digitally Supported First-Year Writing Courses." Both of them respond to each other's cross talk.

Composition teachers have generally embraced collaborative learning in the years since Kenneth Bruffee published his first article promoting its advantages in "College English" in 1972. But assigning collaboratively written papers in an introductory college writing course is still rare. This study assesses the benefits and drawbacks of assigning a…

Offers five easy ways to help teachers become a computer expert: (1) meet a computer; (2) meet people experienced in using computers; (3) learn the lingo; (4) read about computers; and (5) find out what computers can do. (EL)

This paper outlines challenges in and essential criteria for the success of dual-credit or concurrent-enrollment writing and literature courses delivered via interactive video technology and suggests specific strategies for administrators, instructors, and classroom facilitators regarding student selection, appropriate technology, and classroom…

Shows how basic writing students' knowledge of how to use the computer to produce new, revised drafts of their essays in approximately an hour led to their productive use of word processing. (EL)

Claims that teaching writing in a computer-assisted classroom is often fraught with unforeseen and often unnecessary problems. Lists 10 commandments (and 9 helpful hints) for composition instructors using computer-assisted classrooms. (HB)

Describes in detail many of the current computer software products with which students can improve their writing. Outlines and critiques current computer offerings, including grammar checking software, drafting and revision software, on-line writing guides, and style analysis software. (HB)

As students enter college, English composition instructors complain that students lack essential grammar basics to create clear, coherent pieces of writing. The number of students requiring developmental coursework at institutions has increased significantly since the institution of mandatory placement in 2000. In the face of the challenge to…

Points out that revising one's writing on hard copy after using the word processor for composing (1) reduces both computer and writing anxiety, (2) provides greater opportunity for decentering, and (3) is more comfortable to revise on hard copy than to revise onscreen. (EL)

Claims that computer-assisted instruction can be a feasible option for the basic writing classroom. Argues that developmental writers must have the opportunity to use computers to enhance the writing process and improve critical thinking. Advocates using computers to go beyond sentence-level writing errors. (HB)

Offers comments on an article appearing in a recent issue of this journal in which the writer argued that word processing enhances student writing performance. Includes a response by the article's author, Don Richard Cox. (FL)