Examines the need for pre- and inservice training programs to educate teachers about educational technology and teaching methods. Describes the use of telecommunications and word processing in a college course and assesses student perceptions of using technology. Course evaluations found that 204 of 213 students did not report any negative…

Examines the development of information technology (IT) capability by teacher-trainees on a postgraduate certificate of education course; the course involves the promotion of IT use during classroom placements by teacher-mentors. Survey results indicate that for certain trainees, the development of IT skills was regarded as being synonymous with…

Discusses the use of fortune cookie fortunes in a middle school class combined with computer graphics, desktop publishing, and word processing technology to create writing assignments, games, and discussions. Topics include cultural contexts, and students creating their own fortunes. (LRW)

Describes a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) course in the United Kingdom that was offered to develop teachers' computer use and skills. Results of four questionnaires that evaluated skills before the course and after one year of teaching are discussed, and requirements for information technology skills are examined. (five references)…

Describes the Knowledge Gateway Project at Wenatchee (Washington) High School, which combines computer technology with a problem-solving approach to teach communication and information processing skills to at-risk students. Networked Macintosh workstations are described; and the use of electronic mail to communicate both within a local area…

Description and review of recently introduced computer software focuses on word processing in non-Roman character sets for the MacIntosh, courseware developments using recordable CD-ROM drive, desktop video and graphics equipment, and a language lab management package. (CNP)

English teachers developed several activities for their ninth- and tenth-grade students using basic word processing capabilities. The materials described include guided writing (a job application form); passages involving cloze and pair work; relating details from a story; and work with a song and its written text. (CNP)

Explains how one teacher consultant helped students and teachers in an inner-city elementary school learn to use computers in their literature-based, word-processing supported writing program. (MG)

Discussion of how to develop curriculum that successfully integrates technology into elementary and secondary school classrooms focuses on solutions for school and classroom management tasks. Highlights include Web-based solutions; student activities; word processing; desktop publishing; draw and paint programs; spreadsheets; and database…

Intermediate grade students with disabilities in written expression and emotional/behavioral disorders were trained to use discrete or continuous speech input devices for written work. The study found extreme variability in the fidelity of the devices, PowerSecretary and Dragon NaturallySpeaking ranging from 49 percent to 87 percent. Both devices…

This study was conducted to gather evidence regarding effects of the mode of writing (handwritten vs. word-processed) on compositional quality in a sample of sixth grade students. Questionnaire data and essay scores were gathered to examine the effect of composition mode on essay scores of students of differing computer skill levels. The study was…

An 18-month study examined the impact of word processors on the teaching and learning of writing in an area school on the South Island of New Zealand, with a special focus upon the writing development of 9 primary school children ranging in age from 8 years 11 months to 11 years 8 months. A wide range of data was collected on each pupil, including…

The Qualitative Studies section of the proceedings contains the following 13 papers: "Writing as Theater: The Marketing of the Digital Word" (Sally McMillan); "Rethinking Ideology: Polysemy, Pleasure and Hegemony in Television Culture" (Luis Rivera-Perez); "Low Power FM: A Small History" (Gregory J. Adamo); "The…

As the use of computers has become more common in society, human engineering and ergonomics have lagged behind the sciences which developed the equipment. Some research has been done in the past on the effects of screen colors on computer use efficiency, but results were inconclusive. This paper describes a study of the impact of screen color…

One of a series of educational packages designed for implementation either in a workshop atmosphere or through individual study, this Hot Topic guide presents a variety of materials to assist educators in designing and implementing classroom projects and activities centering on the topic of computers and writing. The Hot Topic guide contains…