This paper provides an overview of the Computers and Writing Instruction Project, a field-tested curriculum for teaching writing to learning-disabled students consisting of a process approach, word processing, and strategy instruction. Its scope and sequence are described and guidelines for establishing a writer's workshop in the classroom…

Describes how to customize standard computer-software programs for use with elementary school students. Explains language-arts projects, especially the use of word processing; discusses children's procedures and attitudes; and describes the use of a draw program to create customized learning processes, particularly with mathematics. (LRW)

Describes how using conferencing software in a computer-assisted writing environment became a catalyst for a distinctive learning ecology that interrelated prosocial student behaviors, learner-centered teaching, and assessment. Argues that the conferencing class not only helped students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in…

Two studies compared handwriting, word processing, and word prediction with speech-synthesis software (PR) with three intermediate-grade students with severe spelling problems. Results suggested that PR software can improve the writing of such students under certain circumstances but that constraints, such as the difficulty of using the software,…

This article reviews research on the use of computer technologies to help individuals with mild educational disabilities write more effectively, including word processing and the use of word processing in teaching revision and facilitating collaboration, transcription tools, and the limited research on hypermedia or multimedia to support writing.…

Describes an approach to the study of writing processes based on the analysis of temporal aspects of the writing event. The approach involves recording the keystroke presses made during production of a text using a word processor, and analyzing such features as pausing, fluency, and revision activity. (Author/VWL)

A survey of one region in Scotland attempted to identify the number and characteristics of children with dysgraphia, multidisciplinary and inter-professional services and relationships, and the role of electronic keyboards or word processors. Among detailed findings was that 20 percent of children had stopped using keyboards with the most frequent…

Investigated how health educators currently used computers and how they expected to use them in the future. Surveys of practicing health educators at many types of sites indicated that important current abilities included Internet, word processing, and electronic presentation skills. Important future tasks and skills included developing computer…

Analysis of attitude and use questionnaires completed by undergraduates (n1,444) at Wake Forest University determined that computers were used most frequently for word processing. Other uses were e-mail for task and non-task activities and mathematical and statistical computation. Results suggest that the level of computer use was related to…

For college students and faculty in any program of study, the Web is a vast resource of material. Information on almost any subject is just a click away. Tools to help organize and use the information are plentiful, and for the most part free. However, the availability of material on the Internet can be both a blessing to faculty and a dilemma.…

Parsimonious models of word recognition and reading comprehension were validated in a sample of third-grade readers. Word recognition was modeled as phonological awareness, decoding skill, and word processing rate. This model demonstrated the importance of unitization of letter clusters for efficient word reading. A curvilinear relation between…

Researchers have explored the impact of computer-assisted feedback and electronic mail on students' writing, but most of the work to date seems to have focused on second language writers, peer response, or response as part of an online composition course. Although research has documented the importance of certain generic features of word…

A study investigated the effect of word processing on the quality of children's writing. Subjects were 32 fifth-graders in a public school in the suburban town of Livingston, New Jersey. One sample had access to computers in their classroom everyday for writing. The other sample group used computers once a week in the lab; their daily writing…

A study investigated whether computers would enable students to develop individual working writing environments. The programs that the fourth-grade students used were Hypercard, Clip Art, and MacWrite. Students worked with each of the programs and talked about what they were thinking while using the computer. A constant flow of teachers, staff,…

This study assessed whether word processing can be taught conceptually so that students can decontextualize concepts from a specific program setting and thus achieve a greater level of learning and far transfer. The sample for this study consisted of 38 students at Central Wyoming College enrolled in word processing classes--two sections during…