The background, rationale, elements, and organization of the newly-formed Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES) database containing child language data-transcripts are outlined in this first issue of their newsletter. The system was formed in response to a need for greater efficiency in data sharing, greater precision in data collection…

Describes the use of the English Natural Form Instruction (ENFI) computer conferencing system to teach language skills in college writing classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Highlights include local area networks; discourse processing; interactive writing; the teacher's role; textual analysis of writing by two classes; and other…

This article reports two studies on the effects of "recasting" (adjusting discourse to provide new information in relation to an utterance) within the context of microcomputer-videodisc-assisted intervention for 84 deaf individuals (ages 3-20) acquiring spoken, written, and/or signed language. Gains were demonstrated in reading and…

Describes a study that examined increasing peer interaction in an asynchronous learning environment by investigating the effect of a teacher's discourse style on the level and quality of student participation in a computer-mediated discussion. Three discourse styles (i.e., questions, statements, and conversational) are studied, and further…