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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

The December 1990 Media Evaluation Services list of computer courseware includes the following: (1) Group Grammar: grades 5-10 identify elements of grammar and mechanics; (2) Ready-Set-Read: Sequence: grades K-2 put pictures or sentences in order; (3) Write-On! Sarah, Plain and Tall: grades 4-7 develop reading, writing, and thinking skills through…

A three-year project carried out by the Microcomputers and Reading Committee of the New Jersey Reading Association involved the collection, improvement, and distribution of free microcomputer software (public domain programs) designed to deal with reading and writing skills. Acknowledging that this free software is not without limitations (poor…

Reviews software that focuses on writing skills for children aged 2 to 15. Includes information on public domain and commercial programs on learning the alphabet, basic penmanship, sentence structure, and writing book reports and essays. Provides ordering information on the suggested programs. Explains how parents can help. (ML)

Discussion of the use of microcomputer-assisted instruction for advanced college writing courses emphasizes word processing exercises and programmed lessons. Topics discussed include computer writing labs, local area networks, commercially available software for writing instruction, teacher developed programs, and authoring languages and authoring…

Two issues of this listing (August and September 1990) contain reviews of courseware for kindergarten through grade 12. Entries are classified by subject or application: communication skills, which include instruction in reading and writing; mathematics; microcomputer programing; science; social studies; and utilities (desktop publishing…

The approach to writing as a process of problem-solving through experimentation is used in a sentence-expansion technique for college-level remedial English. Students are presented with an uninteresting, two-sentence story that they expand by experimentation, building confidence in their knowledge of appropriate sentence structure and grammar. The…

Discusses writing instruction in elementary and secondary schools. Writing reforms are suggested, including increasing time spent on writing and encouraging process writing; writing across the curriculum is discussed; the use of technology is considered; and sidebars give examples of writing improvement programs. (LRW)

This book documents the profound impact of computing on the education system as seen through the eyes of teachers. The authors studied exemplary teachers and how they used computers in their schools and recorded the teachers' insights, strategies, and feelings about the using computers in the classroom. The topic is presented in 14 chapters that…