Describes the parallels between writing in English and LOGO in planning, audience awareness, and revision and gives guidelines for making students aware of these useful ideas. (CRH)

Examines a number of language activities in educational software, noting that most focus on surface structure and conventions, thus closing off students' options rather than expanding them. Discusses how, by improvising with word processors, teachers can tailor activities to help students explore and reflect on their reading and writing…

Speculates that computer-based multimedia packages possess the potential to change children's symbol-weaving processes (storytelling in which children treat talk, pictures, and words as equals). Discusses how normal classroom practice can be affected by multimedia composing tools, and how teachers can take advantage of the positive aspects of the…

Holistic approaches to the teaching of reading and writing, most notably the Whole Language movement, reject the philosophy that language skills can be taught. Instead, holistic teachers emphasize process, and they structure the students' classroom activities to be rich in language experience. Computers can be used as tools for whole language…

Study examined the impact of word processing on sixth graders' writing and revision skills. Students used pencil and paper or word processors, or both, to write and revise compositions. There were significant revision differences. Word processing students corrected more and made fewer errors. Overall writing quality did not differ significantly.…

Virtually every aspect of modern life has been changed and shaped by the computer's tiny, ubiquitous silicon chips. It is not surprising that computers have had a profound effect on the way students learn in the modern classroom. This topical bibliography and commentary focuses on how computers can be used to enhance the teaching of language arts.…

Comments on six points of belief commonly held by whole language teachers. Considers how computers can facilitate teaching and learning in ways that are consistent with those points of belief. (MG)

Intended as a guide for elementary school teachers who want to use the computer as a writing tool in their classrooms, this booklet offers an outline of practical information and techniques for introducing young children to computers in kindergarten through grade 6. The first chapter explains the process approach to writing and advocates computer…

Reviews Monsters and Make-Believe Plus, a computer program which supports learners in their quest to become skilled language users. Finds it to be one of the most powerful software programs available to implement a whole language program. (MG)

Describes how to create a quality learning environment by setting tone and context, using cooperative groups, and setting up success for students. Outlines a thematic unit on fairy tales which can be used in a faculty workshop to model new beliefs and skills associated with writing programs. (MG)

Noting that computer based environments for communication may have profound effects upon classroom social organization and the development of literacy, this paper reports on a project that used QUILL, a software system that includes both tools that facilitate writing and new environments for communication. Following a brief introduction to the…

This publication teaches parents and their grades 3-8 children how to create simple essays and multimedia presentations, all designed to produce more interesting and better quality school assignments. Each chapter presents several cogent ideas for turning a homework assignment into a creative computer project, as well as step-by-step instructions…