From reading texts to annotating web pages, grade 6-8 students rely on group cooperation and individual reading and writing skills in this research project that spans six 50-minute lessons. Student objectives for this project are that they will: read, discuss, and keep a journal on a book in literature circles; understand the elements of and…

The commonest context for the use of word processors with primary school children is collaborative small group work. The two major reasons for this organizational decision are resource-based (i.e. due to the scarcity of computers in the classroom) and educational, stemming from an increased use of cooperative learning methods. In order to improve…

Business students (n=22) who completed writing assignments in face-to-face collaborations were compared to those (n=40) using group support systems software. Posttest performance was significantly higher for both groups. Software users had significantly higher performance on the content and organization components of writing. (SK)

Discusses management of a research group and examines the role of collaborative hypertext in supporting the maintenance of a hypertext database about hypotheses and research papers. Highlights include hypothesis formulation; paper revision, including appropriate journal selection and author collaboration; information technology support; and an…

Reports on the pilot year of a 3-year research program on developing discipline-appropriate models for computer-enhanced collaborative learning. Focusing on a computer program for collaborative drafting among law students, discusses the program's impact on students, impact on teachers, and instructional design issues. (EV)

Describes two models for using the Electronic Networks for Interaction (ENFI) systems in writing instruction. Identifies the aims as (1) advancing traditional interests of the English department; (2) encouraging collaborative writing; and (3) increasing student freedom. Provides examples of student writings resulting from the traditional teacher…

Explores how computer-assisted instruction (the ACCESS program) affected teaching goals and student responses in a freshman composition course. Finds that the quantity of student writing increased dramatically. Suggests that word processing offers new ways to provoke students' thoughts, encourage collaboration, and create a lively and interactive…

Asks whether concerns over helping students enter the academic discourse community are not at odds with the pedagogical aims of the interpretive community of the classroom. Suggests that teachers engage students in a dialogue that respects the complexity and value of both student and academic discourse. (RS)

Describes a collaborative-writing assessment system that rewards each student both for the group's performance and for individual participation. Presents a survey of student attitudes toward an assignment incorporating the assessment system, and reveals that students perceived the assessment as fair and effective. (MM)

Describes how first grade and fifth grade students teamed together to coauthor books. Provides an example of a story planning chart. (MM)

Describes a four week collaborative writing unit designed to develop students' sense of audience by producing a magazine to orient fifth grade students to junior high school. Discusses how students developed the idea, conducted interviews, wrote articles, used computers to produce the magazine, and distributed copies of their magazine. (RS)

Three classes of ninth-grade general science students participated in a collaborative report-writing intervention study. Students' collaboratively written laboratory reports were evaluated for evidence of the use of scientific reasoning skills and to document qualitative changes in reasoning skills over time. Concludes that collaborative writing…

Focuses on the tutorial function of writing centers. Describes the uniqueness of the tutorial relationship. Claims that this relationship makes possible knowledge about writing unavailable in more institutionalized settings. Analyzes extensive excerpts from student comments concerning tutorial experiences. (HB)

Describes how, in a second-/third-grade classroom, and in the context of writing workshop, another kind of community developed--an informal but long-lasting "writing club" with eight core members who worked collaboratively and developed a story topic that became the dominant story topic pattern throughout the remainder of the school year. (SR)

Twelve groups of business students met face to face to complete a report; 10 groups used groupware (computerized decision support system). Overall report quality did not differ, although groupware users needed more time. Appearance and appropriate format were rated higher for the face-to-face group, and students found this method easier, faster,…