Describes implementation of a word processor in an elementary school, focusing on instructional strategies used with learning-disabled students aged 7-13. Objectives, materials, activities, evaluation, and rewards are summarized for six modules covering hardware, disk care, software, initializing and saving on disk, word processing modes, and…

Children aged 6 to 14 years in 10 schools in southern England were interviewed to determine the criteria that children use to evaluate educational and other software. Data suggest that the children were mature and sophisticated in their judgments. Their evaluative criteria derived from the standards of mass consumer electronics (home computer…

This study examined the impact of keyboarding instruction on the acquisition of word processing skills. Over a 6-week period, 6 third grade students were studied as they used the "Type to Learn" keyboarding program. Each student spent an average of 45 minutes on the computer each week. Data collection consisted of observations, questionnaires, and…

Describes a study of elementary school children that examined computer use in the home and at school. Highlights include frequency of activities; playing games on home computers; word processing at school; gender differences; and negative impact of school use of computers and positive impact of home computer use on attitudes toward computers. (LRW)

Describes the attitudes with which children received the word processor in their daily classroom activities. (CRH)

Fourth graders' attitudes about using a computer for writing instruction were assessed at three points during the school year. Student attitudes were highly positive throughout the year, but no significant differences were found between attitudes at the three assessment points. (BC)

Describes how to customize standard computer-software programs for use with elementary school students. Explains language-arts projects, especially the use of word processing; discusses children's procedures and attitudes; and describes the use of a draw program to create customized learning processes, particularly with mathematics. (LRW)

Description of a pilot word processing program instituted in two sixth-grade classes highlights teacher experiences and reactions of students obtained from an end of the year survey. Motivation and attitudes, word processing techniques, suggestions for expanded activities, and recent happenings are covered. (EJS)

This study sought to examine the group dynamics of children working and learning collaboratively on a computer-based instructional writing task. Standard 3 and 4 children at two urban primary schools in the Dunedin area of New Zealand were assigned the task of producing illustrated interactive stories using the "Twist-a-plot" program.…