RIB TYPE Reports- Research/Technical (143) Speeches /Conference Papers (150)

To test the argument that writing instructors should not teach word processing skills in computer-assisted composition classes, two qualitative studies were conducted. In the first study, three basic writers, two native speakers and one non-native speaker in a word processing/composition class at The Ohio State University were each extensively observed completing an assigned essay. Data included all drafts of each assigned essay; as well as observations of students writing in their classroom, dormitories, and computer lab, and taped and written interviews with the subjects and their instructors. Results showed that the students, who were given little guidance in integrating the computer into their composing processes, overlooked almost half of the important word processing options available. The fact that basic writers do little prewriting or rewriting and may have limited short term memories probabl