Discussion of performance assessment focuses on a study that was part of the International Evaluation of Achievement of computer education that tested students in grades 8 and 11 on word processing performance tasks. Results are examined to determine the useability, reliability, and validity of the process. (eight references) (LRW)

A three-year study (grades 3-5) of two groups of elementary school students determined that writing quality improved in a high-computer-access school, as indicated by holistic measures of writing message (meaning and content quality) and medium (quality of the form and surface features). In-class observation supported the contention that word…

Uses a case study of a third-grade student with a severe learning disability and an attention deficit disorder to illustrate use of word prediction and speech synthesis software to help students with such tasks as communicating via dialog journals. Guidelines (such as using a relatively small word list) and evidence of the method's effectiveness…

This experimental study explored whether, and to what extent, differences in gender and experience with word processing affect how students perceive their classroom environment in high school writing classes. Treatment of experimental and control groups is described, and the classroom environment questionnaire for the experimental…

Describes a study that investigated how to teach computer skills to undergraduate female novice users through the design of an instructional manual that facilitated learning computer skills and increased computer self-efficacy by using familiar analogies. Treatment of the experimental and control groups is explained, and measurement techniques are…

Describes a workshop used with classes doing Web research for their English papers in a computer lab. Shows how this is a good opportunity for students to learn to find, evaluate, and save Web sources, how to read critically and annotate the sources, and how to weave them into working drafts and avoid plagiarism. (SR)

Presents a case study of one second-grade teacher's classroom action research project in which she explores how and when students decided to use electronic editing tools to revise their writing. Discusses factors that influenced student's editing choices and their ability to work in pairs. Considers implications for the use of computers in…

This study examined the impact of a word prediction software program, Co:Writer, on the written output of 24 students with physical disabilities that affected their ability to write by hand. Surveys were completed by both students who used Co:Writer and their teachers/adult supporters in schools, and 10-minute writing samples were obtained from…

This article discusses the way online communications, and more precisely e-mail, can be used for English language teaching in a Primary Education classroom in Greece. The first part: (a) briefly describes the context where this particular technology will be used; (b) considers the pedagogical issues and language learning potential of using e-mail…

Driven by studies showing that Millennials (ages 18-24) have adopted IM (instant messaging) as a standard communications medium, many libraries are reaching out to their own patrons in this way. At the same time, some of these libraries have invested thousands of dollars in vendor-based chat reference solutions that provide duplicate…

This document, which is designed to provide classroom teachers at all levels with practical ideas for a computer applications course, examines curricular considerations, teaching strategies, delivery techniques, and assessment methods applicable to a course focusing on applications of computers in business. The guide is divided into three…

A Valparaiso University (Indiana) computer network was used to investigate the use of campus electronic mail to encourage students in English-as-a-Second-Language reading and writing classes to increase communication among themselves, to make homework assignments more interesting, and to familiarize students with on-line composing and editing.…

This practical book integrates coverage of the writing process and various types of academic and professional documents with explanations and examples of using computers to enhance the process and produce effective documents. The book's four parts move from the individual writer who is using a computer to create a document to exchanges of data and…

A study investigated the utility of computer-assisted English second language instruction for limited-English-proficient (LEP) secondary school students in a system in which there was no regular bilingual or compensatory education offered. As a result of a home language survey and followup oral language proficiency test, three LEP or…

This workshop engages students of adult basic education (ABE) and English as a second language (ESL) students in the higher levels of communication necessary in the workplace: essay writing, filling out forms, and analyzing data. Students use statistics from the workplace to practice reading and manipulating data, workplace forms to practice…