This survey of the literature provides a review and synthesis of research findings and current thought on the use of microcomputers by school children. Modes of learning and taxonomies of learning are described, and the results of recent surveys indicating the number of computers in schools and the amount of access by students are reported.…

This paper explores three components of academic computing--programming, productivity tools, and computer-based education--by reviewing the past, evaluating the present, and considering the future possibilities of the field. It is suggested that the future growth of academic computing depends upon the resolution of a number of issues: (1)…

Language arts skills and writing projects can be combined with activities that teach the fundamentals of word processing to improve the language arts curriculum. Suggested lessons cover five writing and editing operations common to most word processing software. (DF)

The use of word processing as an instructional tool is the focus of this monograph. The introductory section provides an overview of word processing and its use in higher education, while the second section explores the use of word processing in writing courses, including word processing for basic writers and learning disabled students, word…

The purpose of this focused newsletter is to give teachers who know little or nothing of computers some background on which to base further investigation and decisions. It begins by explaining what a computer is and defining such terms as software, hardware, memory, input/output devices, and disk drive. The newsletter then outlines four major uses…

Designed to condense the material in a wide range of articles about computers and composition, this bibliographical review on computer use in composition is preceded by brief discussions of current pedagogical theory on composition instruction and of the directions in which computing in composition appear to be developing. The reviews contain…

Since word-processing applications of microcomputers show a great deal of promise in helping learning disabled adults overcome writing problems, care should be given in selecting the software that they use. In considering what shared needs must be addressed when selecting word-processing software, it is necessary to isolate some of these needs,…

Designed to coordinate teacher-developed materials in computer literacy, this resource unit is composed of several sections. The first, "Planning for Computer Instruction," provides an outline for developing a school-level computer task force, management procedures for computer labs, and sample student survey forms. The remaining…

An introduction to using word processing in writing instruction, this report first describes the basic terms and tools used in word processing and then lists the four characteristics of a good word processing program. They are the options to: (1) edit and insert; (2) cut and paste; (3) find and correct; and (4) store and save documents of between…

Guidelines for purchasing computers and for curriculum planning are offered as a beginning for educators interested in computers. The first section includes eight steps to take in planning for a computer, a chart of a microcomputer infusion model, an article on rating the microcomputers, and guides to understanding the rating factors and computer…

Discussion of the use of computers as research tools to analyze the writing process focuses on a microcomputer-based software program, Recording WordStar. Studies using the software are described, including comparisons of traditional writing methods with word processing methods and utilization of the software's ability to play back a composition…

Presents two articles: "Your In-Class Communication Center" and "New Software Programs." The first suggests three ways for teachers to use their word processing program to generate standard forms, produce a class newsletter, and create a homework checklist for each student. The second presents information on software programs (grade level, focus,…

This report reviews Apple computer courseware in business education, library skills, mathematics, science, special education, and word processing based on the curricular requirements of Alberta, Canada. It provides detailed evaluations of 23 authorized titles in business education (2), mathematics (20), and science (1); 3 of the math titles are…

Ninety-one college writing teachers completed a questionnaire about the extent of their computer use, computers and the writing process, advantages and disadvantages of computer use, problems encountered and suggested solutions, and future directions. Among the findings are the following: (1) The majority of those involved in computer assisted…

Noting that the educational software market is expanding at a precipitous rate, but with considerable variation in quality, this paper outlines a thorough set of tangible and useful questions, based on two years of program design for English and writing lab usage. The major portion of the paper discusses criteria for evaluation in each of the…