This article posits a teacher change cycle based on an investigation of eight Hong Kong secondary teachers' adoption of innovative practice over a six-month period in which they received training and ongoing support to carry out three units of process writing lessons in one of their English classes. (JL)

Examined the effectiveness of the showcase portfolio process as an instructional strategy to enhance the quality and quantity of students' writing and to motivate them to participate in the writing process. Findings supported claims that portfolios are not only an authentic evaluative procedure, but an equally powerful motivational approach and an…

Analysis of 72 reports comparing first- (L1) and (L2) second-language writing indicate differences between L1 and L2 writing with regard to composing processing and features of written text. Implications for L2 and L1 writing theory, comparative writing research, and assessment, placement, staffing, and instruction are discussed. (Contains 77…

Examines first graders' tacit shared understandings about composing as related to expectations about the processes and meaning of writing. Finds evidence of three cultural themes: (1) the processes of creating and sharing text-mediated relationships with others; (2) writing was used to explore "self" and the world; and (3) collaborative composing…

Examines the implications of process writing and peer review in one class of argumentative writing. Classroom consensus reflected the group's sociocultural organization and discouraged the writing of one marginalized student. The instructor and the powerful students legitimated biased critique and suppressed the less powerful student. (12…

Examines hypotheses concerning the appeal of three types of feedback in the second-language writing process: teacher-, peer-, and self-directed feedback. Results show that students overwhelmingly prefer teacher feedback to peer feedback. (Author/CK)

A project to improve the writing skills of children (grades 4-10) who are deaf included instruction for teachers in the process approach to teaching writing and a data collection and analysis phase to assess short-term effects on students' writing. Pretest-posttest results showed dramatic improvement in students' writing, particularly in…

Examines the sociocultural-linguistic processes involved in writing stories in English and French for 2 bilingual children, aged 10 and 11, in Quebec. Points out differences between the children in their views of play, schooling, and story creation. Proposes a unity of process across both languages that is mirrored in the writing of first- and…

Observations of children's writing on the computer include an anecdote concerning a five-year-old's use of a word processor to write a story at the University of South Carolina's Children's Center. Also discussed are general literacy growth and four patterns of risk taking with computer writing. (BB)

Recounts the story of one portfolio project in a large midwestern university and considers the process of the teachers and administrators initiating and adjusting to the changes implied by such shifts in assessment strategies. Argues that the implementation of such assessment represents more sweeping change than may be apparent at the onset. (MG)

An Australian study investigated differences in writing context, process, and product with 51 eighth-grade girls using word processing and pens. Findings indicated the computer classroom was more student centered, less teacher dominated, and more work focused; and quality of writing was rated significantly higher. The importance of genre in…

Describes a writing project for middle school students in which they learn about the writing process by creating "choose your own adventure" stories. (MG)

Looks at how a short story by three students in a bilingual third-grade classroom came to be. Examines the literate practices already established in the classroom; the classroom norm of using two languages; learning to include information from multiple sources; and learning that interaction is a valuable part of the writing process. (SR)

Exploration of a specific use of Text Based Virtual Reality--not just as powerful communities for authentic communication and collaboration in language learning but exploiting role-playing and writing aspects. The "Walk on Ice" takes a group of adult English-as-a-Second-Language learners through the creation of imaginary characters who…

Examines the rationale behind the British government's method for raising standards in writing at Key Stage 2, noting a renewed drive to teach discreet units of sentence grammar and a fresh commitment to shared and guided writing. Argues that these new measure ignore research on the ways children learn to write and will not lead to a rise in…