Argues that Marcia Peoples Halio's "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers) is seriously flawed by methodological and interpretive errors. Explains the problems of Halio's article. Notes that the present article grew out of a…

Argues that Marcia Peoples Halio's "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers) is flawed by poor experimental design and is filled with questionable logic and evidence. Contends that she overlooks many specific features that make…

Presents a detailed critique of Marcia Peoples Halio's article "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?" (which argues that students using IBM computers wrote better than those using Macintosh computers). Rejects the "Macintosh versus IBM" contention. Explores ways technology influences education and the growing…

Responds to criticisms of "Student Writing: Can the Machine Maim the Message?." Argues that cognitive psychologists, human computer interaction specialists, and teachers have provided "heavy support." Supports the use of "Writer's Workbench," the writing topic selection, self-selection, teaching methods, computer…

Discusses the need for research about writing and technology. Poses needed research questions regarding descriptive research, correlation research, and qualitative research. Offers experimental questions as well. (PRA)

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…

Supporting the contention that using experimental research designs will facilitate sound decisions about how to teach the composing process, this paper first describes briefly the range of research methods available for investigating the writing process. Next the paper discusses the advantages of conducting experimental research, some of which are…

Current research and evaluation studies describe changing knowledge about the effects and conditions of computer-based tools in learning and teaching in elementary and secondary school classrooms. Current studies of computer-based tool use are characterized by: (1) a focus on many dimensions of learning, learners, and learning environments; (2) an…

This book contains 20 articles, from a wide variety of perspectives, designed to bridge the interests of researchers and teachers on the topic of current composition research. The following articles are included: "Studying the Writing Abilities of a University Freshman Class: Strategies from a Case Study" (Charles R. Cooper, with Roger…