Discusses the collaboration of two first grade girls as they wrote three stories on a newly installed classroom computer. Finds that children bring a great deal of knowledge about the processes and conventions of writing and story construction into their composition. Notes that a single microcomputer can be put to valuable use without complicated…

Examines a number of language activities in educational software, noting that most focus on surface structure and conventions, thus closing off students' options rather than expanding them. Discusses how, by improvising with word processors, teachers can tailor activities to help students explore and reflect on their reading and writing…

Discusses the use of keyboarding skills in elementary classrooms and stresses the importance of establishing writing environments that help children to understand writing as communication. (MG)

Presents observations on the effects of a word processing program developed for first-grade students. Focuses on the composing and transcribing abilities of six students, representing the range of abilities in the class. (HTH)