This writing program profile examines the work of Dr. Linda Adler-Kassner and the ways in which she has redefined writing and the place of first-year writing at her university. The profile highlights Adler-Kassner’s development of an “open systems” curriculum and her use of assessment for program visibility and continuous program improvement.

Argues that networked classrooms offer a number of opportunities for effective writing instruction. Argues that shared discourse in the networked-computer classroom has three levels forming a continuum of interactivity: students sending messages “at,” “to,” and “between” each other. Offers classroom examples of each level of discourse.