Types of specialty software that can help in computer editing are discussed, including programs for file transformation, optical character recognition, facsimile transmission, spell-checking, style assistance, editing, indexing, and headline-writing. (MSE)

Discussion of the writing process of elementary students with learning disabilities focuses on studies of a HyperCard stack that was developed to help beginning writers and their teachers. Texts created with the hypermedia are compared with texts created using paper and pencil and word processing. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the uses of multimedia, telecommunications, and word processing and desktop publishing in middle school reading education and examines three issues that affect teachers' opportunities to compete with popular culture's media: implementation, integration, and impact on achievement. (Author/LRW)

Recent studies at four colleges and universities (West Virginia University; University of Cincinnati, Ohio; Johnson County Community College, Kansas; University of Texas, El Paso) indicate that comprehensive writing tools software can improve both student writing performance and pass rates for disadvantaged students. (Author/MSE)

Describes a telecommunications project in Texas that used inexpensive laptop computers for word processing with classes of low-achieving tenth-grade language arts students. Highlights include parent involvement; student writing processes; telecommunication with other students via the Texas Education Network (TENET); database use; and student…

Describes an ongoing research study investigating the value of using the concept keyboard as a device to assist children in creating functional texts. Suggests that the use of the conceptual keyboard as an alternative input device for word processor use has the potential to help children better structure their writing. (AA)

Examines computerized text analysis by considering questions related to how computerized text analysis programs function, the history of computerized text analysis, and the claims of previous research on computerized text analysis. It is suggested that claims about the effectiveness of computerized text analysis as a writing aid for…

Draft and revised computer-written narratives were produced by 34 fourth graders in individual writing and revising, individual writing and revising with a peer, or paired writing and revising conditions. Results show that children, especially when working with a peer, can carry out revisions even without explicit training. (SLD)

Students in four eighth grade communications arts classes wrote two stories--one using a word processor and one written manually. Participants' attitudes toward writing and editing were assessed. Stories were graded for overall competence, organization, support of ideas, and mechanics; a subsample received detailed analysis. Word processed stories…

Discussion of creativity in writing focuses on a study of eighth graders that compared results of an expository writing assignment completed on word processors with the assignment using pencil and paper. Students' ability levels are considered, and revision processes are examined. (LRW)

Outlines the practical use of concordance programs for analyzing written text produced in the second-language classroom, suggesting that concordancing of errors from both multi- and monolingual sources may provide a new way of analyzing errors and of helping language teachers to help students. (19 references) (Author/CB)

Describes an approach in which students develop a book about themselves that combines photography and word processing skills. The project is based on the whole-language model of teaching literacy that develops reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (MLF)

Describes a teaching technique that uses word processing software to automate the process of providing feedback about psychology assignments in a microcomputer-based laboratory course. Automation of the feedback process is explained, benefits to students and instructors are discussed, and student reactions are reported. (six references) (LRW)

Literature on word processing (WP) and writing in elementary classrooms is reviewed. Five propositions are constructed to provide a schema for understanding what is known and needs to be learned about young writers and WP. WP's effects on students' composing processes, written products, attitudes, and keyboarding/systems skills are considered.…

Focuses on three writing programs involving laptop computers for reluctant writers within the Seattle Public Schools. Notes that each program uses their laptops in very different ways to impact the teaching and practice of writing in schools. (MG)