Teaching College Composition with Computers

Written Communication Jan 1989

Teaching College Composition with Computers

STEPHEN A. BERNHARDT ; PENNY EDWARDS ; PATTI WOJAHN

Abstract

This program evaluation was undertaken to assess the broad, measurable effects of using computers to teach introductory college composition. In total, 24 classes were studied—12 control classes and 12 experimental—with the experimental computer classes meeting in the lab for half of their instructional time. Data on the success of the program were collected from a range of sources: pre- and posttests of student writing under both impromptu and take-home conditions; pre- and posttests of writing anxiety; records on attendance, tardiness, withdrawals, and homework and essay assignment completion; end-of-term course evaluation by both teachers and students; and self-report data collected from teacher meetings and teacher logs. Results favored the use of computers, with computer students revising and improving their posttest essays (especially discourse-level features) at levels significantly better than those of regular students. Those students in experimental sections who chose to compose on computers at the end of the term outperformed the group as a whole and performed significantly better than those experimental students who chose to compose with pen and paper. Attitudinal data from both students and teachers also favored the use of computers.

Journal: Written Communication
Published: 1989-01-01
DOI: 10.1177/0741088389006001007
Open Access: Closed
Topics: affect and writing

Citation Context

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BERNHARDT et al. (1990)

Teaching College Composition with Computers

Written Communication
Bridwell-Bowles (1989)

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Cites in this index (3)

Hawisher (1987)

The Effects of Word Processing on the Revision Strategies of College Freshmen

Research in the Teaching of English
Hawisher (1986)

Studies in word processing

Computers and Composition
Moore (1985)

Word processing in first-year comp

Computers and Composition

Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓

10.2307/357978

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