Generally, there are three kinds of software that could be used in college writing courses: word processing programs, interactive questionnaires, and text parsers. Although the benefits of these programs are well known, they still pose some problems. Word processors, for example, have been designed to "process" existing text; few have…

Ways in which various uses or applications of a microcomputer can help improve the image of a college or university department are discussed in this paper. The paper discusses applications such as instruction, word processing, management, programing, communications, statistics, and graphics, and audiences for these applications, such as department…

A philosophical overview of the place of technology in higher education and especially in teaching is presented. Research can be viewed as the acquisition of knowledge; teaching as its transmission; and service as its application. Technology affects the transmission of knowledge in both the teaching process and the content of teaching. The…

Designed to serve as a self-paced computer course for education students with no experience using microcomputers, this manual contains instructions for operating an Apple IIe microcomputer, its introductory software, and Bank Street Writer, using the DOS 3.3 System Master. The lessons, which contain illustrations and sample screens, include…

This survey of the administrative applications of microcomputers identifies word processing, database management, spreadsheet functions, and graphics as four areas in which microcomputer use will reduce repetition, improve cost efficiency, minimize paperwork, enhance filing and retrieval systems, and save time. This will allow administrators and…

The paper describes a computer/writing curriculum for hearing impaired and language disabled students which incorporates word processors with the process approach to writing. Such an approach emphasizes writing as a communication process and allows students to select their own writing topics and work independently or as a group. The curriculum is…

Individualized educational programs (IEPs) written either by hand or by use of the "IEP Writer'" a specially designed word processing program, were compared. Results indicated that IEPs which were written using the program took less time and were of higher quality than were handwritten IEPs. (Author/DB)

Reports the results of a study on the impact of microcomputers on Association for Business Communication members, including the level of the members' computer expertise, amount of time per week spent on the computer, the type of hardware and software used, and the application use of the respondents. (JC)

The study compared achievement and attitudes of Utah State University students who experienced two different methods of teaching business communication. The experimental group used microcomputers equipped with word processing, spelling, and grammar packages. Results show no difference in students' writing ability or attitude toward writing as a…

Describes one teacher's use of a "computer daybook"--an online journal that keeps track of students' progress in learning word processing and in grappling with the problems of writing. Lists several prompts useful for students beginning to learn word processing. (ARH)

Word processing in Portuguese on the IBM Personal Computer requires software capable of displaying, on the monitor and printouts, the special characters accessible through IBM's extended ACSII set. Among software packages which can do this are: "Alexander,""MultiMate,""Nota Bene,""Volkswriter Deluxe," and…

Describes how Murray State University Library, a medium sized academic library in Kentucky, made use of an IBM mainframe and SCRIPT, a text formatting program to index two local newspapers. The entire procedure is described, including indexing, authority lists, input techniques, editing, and production and distribution of the index. (CLB)

Describes the writing problems of "real world" professional users of word processing, which include editing instead of revising and rethinking, a reluctance to rewrite, and word-inflation. Suggests strategies for working with students to avoid these problems, focusing on functional writing used by professionals in various fields. (MM)

Examines the effects of using word processors and other writing tools on college students' writing. Finds no significant difference between the writing achievement of experimental groups (who used writing tools) and control groups (who did not). Suggests the widespread use of computers calls into question the results of such experiments. (ARH)

Presents short text in French and discusses possible methods of extending word processing to allow text entry, text editing, and hard copy output of foreign characters. Highlights include discussions of using ASCII for English and problems with French, one-character and two-character approaches, and examples in terms of specific microcomputer…