Noting that the proliferation of computers in the schools requires teachers to know the best ways to use them, this book shows how the computer can be used in a reading and language arts curriculum as tool, tutor, and tutee with currently available software. Chapter one defines the reading process in terms of its relationship to background experiences and language cue systems and, based on this definition, describes the productive use of computers. Chapters two and three describe how the computer can be used as a writing tool and a teacher's tool in a reading and language arts curriculum. Chapters four and five delineate how the computer can be used as a tutor--for drill and practice and through interactive reading and writing software packages. Chapter six discusses computer use as a tutee and software programs that students can manipulate as well as two programming languages, LOGO and BASIC, for reading and thinking skill development. Chapter seven introduces practical considerations for organizing and evaluating computer programs. Finally, chapter eight discusses critical issues and trends related to the computer and the teaching of reading and language arts. A guide to resources providing software and computer-related information is appended. (SRT)