This series of five articles discusses minimizing computer failure; a national software clearinghouse for educational programs; Apple Software with a Purpose; a student-run word processing center at Jefferson College in Missouri; Wisconsin Technical School of the Air; vocational courses delivered by broadcast and cable television; and the delivery…

The intelligent purchase of school office equipment, specifically word processors, typewriters, calculators, and furniture, requires analysis of present needs and a realistic evaluation of future needs. (MLF)

To determine if initial keyboard training resulted in more effective use of capital investment, two groups were tested: one received keyboard training using a manual typewriter, the other trained in word processing on a computer. Keyboarding was tested before and after and student attitudes were surveyed. Concluded that keyboard training is cost…

Notes regular use of computers for writing over an extended period of time has a positive impact on the quantity and quality of student writing. Examines how teaching and learning change when three fourth-grade classrooms are equipped with one AlphaSmart (a portable writing device) for each student. Finds increased use of AlphaSmart by students…

Provides three teaching strategies that integrate technology into the curriculum: inductive teaching, cooperative learning, and mnemonics. (MG)

Presents an overview of Disk Operating System (DOS)-based computer-supported collaborative work group writing tools. Suggests a framework to classify group writing tools. (RS)

Raises issues connected to the new teaching problems that accompany using computers in writing classrooms. Discusses three general categories: difficulties in transferring successful practices; difficulties in expanding successful practices; and difficulties in simply understanding which teaching practices may turn out to be successful. (MG)

Discusses the use of keyboarding skills in elementary classrooms and stresses the importance of establishing writing environments that help children to understand writing as communication. (MG)

Suggests that students should consider five parts of the social environment for any writing/reading situation, especially considering social relationships forged there between writers and readers. Describes these five aspects, and argues that activities using computer technology and writing should focus students primarily on the social nature of…

Describes the Local Area Network (LAN), a project in which students used LAN-based word processing and electronic mail software as the center of a writing process approach. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of networking. (MM)

Examines the information handling ability of the personal computer. Shows how the personal computer can link three learning techniques into a coherent learning strategy appropriate for undergraduate college students. Argues that the personal computer is a powerful tool that can make students' efforts more productive. (RS)

This article describes a highly structured approach for improving the revising skills of students with learning disabilities that combines peer response, strategy instruction, and word processing. The strategy guides students in both the social and cognitive aspects of response and revision. Two studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the…

Reports on a survey investigating instructional technology knowledge and experience in the faculty of a midwestern university. Results showed that faculty had the highest levels of knowledge and experience with word processing and video and used these most frequently. The importance of technology and the influences of educational environment,…

Discussion of the use of text analysis software by basic writers in college courses focuses on a study conducted in 1982-83 at Colorado State University that investigated the benefits of using the Writer's Workbench software in a basic writing program. Data are reported on holistically scored writing samples, editing quizzes, and student…

Examines how technology can support elementary school writer's workshops, noting the nature of the writer's workshop and exploring how word processing and desktop publishing programs can help nurture developing writers. The article presents several ways teachers can use computers in writer's workshops (drafting and revising, writing mechanics,…