The social contexts students need to encourage productive collaboration in their writing can be provided by attending to various design features of the English microcomputer laboratory. Collaborative learning offers a powerful alternative to traditional classroom teaching methods and helps students become part of a community that approximates the one most students will eventually write for in business, government, and the professions. Four practical suggestions for the encouragement of productive collaboration aimed at the designers and directors of labs include: (1) common areas (where students can get together and talk or relax) should be provided in the labs; (2) arrange the computers in such a way as to facilitate interaction among students; (3) provide an atmosphere that is conducive to communication and sharing; and (4) staff the labs with students who are enthusiastic, proficient writers. In order to invite collaboration, teachers and staff must communicate, verbally and nonverbally, so that students are encouraged to interact, share, and communicate. (Thirteen references are attached.) (RS)