Word processors can be used in the classroom to help teach both the mechanics of writing and the process as a whole. The computer can facilitate student/teacher conferencing, peer evaluation, peer collaboration, and purposeful writing. (DF)

Presents a computer-assisted activity that helps students discover the importance of choosing words carefully. With a word processing program, small groups of students prepare creative, fill-in-the-blank challenges in which classmates must replace missing adjectives or verbs. (SM)

The computer can be used in the classroom to make writing tasks less formidable. The word processor allows the writer to make corrections with less effort than rewriting an entire paper. Students are better able to see an imbalance between what they write and what they intended when writing with a computer. (DF)

Children love writing and receiving personal messages. By setting up a mystery pen pal network in the classroom, elementary teachers can get students excited about writing. The article explains how to set up such a network using a computer and a word processing program. (SM)