Book Description

This collection of articles focuses on the use of word processing software programs as instructional tools for students learning writing composition. Section 1 discusses the use of word processors as a composition tools within the process model of writing instruction and includes articles entitled "Should Students Use Spelling Checkers?,""A Recipe to Encourage Revision,""Six Directions for Computer Analysis of Student Writing,""Desktop Publishing: More Than Meets the Eye," and "Writing with Word Processors for Remedial Students." Section 2 focuses on lesson ideas, providing detailed practical applications for using computers in the context of the process approach to teaching writing. Articles include "The Computer as a Writing Tool,""Creating Writing Lessons with a Word Processor,""A Family Writing Project,""Writing Skills with Write On!," and "Reading and Writing Interactive Stories." The three articles in section 3 discuss whether and how keyboarding skills should be taught. Section 4 provides reviews of 15 software packages and two articles, "Creating Software for Classroom-Specific Needs," and "Computer Use in the IBM 'Writing to Read' Project." Section 5 contains two additional articles that are suggested reading for those interested in computers and writing instruction. A 101-item bibliography concludes the notebook. (DB)