[conclusion of announcements section at top of this page]
Recent research in such journals as College English and CCC has been helpful in determining the advantages and disadvantages of word processors and CAI and in explaining existing software. However,
once a teacher assumes the usefulness of computers and actually sits down to plan a course, s/he faces some practical questions that this research does not address: What must I be sure to do? What should I definitely not do? Can I avoid making some mistake that others had to learn about the hard way?
As one facing this situation, I am distributing the following questionnaire with the hope of developing a general profile of the kind of computer-assisted writing instruction presently being offered, as well as some basic dos and don'ts for teachers who are planning a new course. I believe this information will be helpful both to teachers already involved in computers and writing and to other teachers like myself who are just entering this exciting field.
In addition to surveying the readers of Computers and Composition, I will be sending copies of this questionnaire to members of the CCCC Special Interest Group, The Fifth C: Computers and also advertising it in the ACE Newsletter, in an attempt to get as representative a sample population as possible. Please take a few minutes to share your expertise by completing the form and returning it to me at the following address: Master of Human Services Program, Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA 19352. I will send all respondents a copy of my final tabulated results. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
[See questions on following pages.]
QUESTIONNAIRE: 1. Name:___________________________________________________________________ 2. Title:__________________________________________________________________ 3. University (mailingaddress):___________________________________________ 2 yr.____ 4 yr.____ other (specify)_________________________ ___________________________________________ Phone ______________________ 4. Student writing skill level: remedial___ average____ above average____ 5. Average student age: 17-22____ 2-30 ____ over 30____ 6. When did you first use computers in your teaching? 1984____ 1980-1984____ prior to 1980____ 7. What kind of computers do yo use?_______________________________________ How many are available in th classroom?_________________________________ 8. Average class size:___________ 9. How many sections of computer-assisted composition are currently being taught at your school? ____out of ____sections 10. What software do you use: Do you recommend it? a. Word processing (give package name) ___________________________________________ yes____ no___ b. Other (give package name) __________________________________ yes____ no____ __________________________________ yes____ no____ __________________________________ yes____ no____ 11. Have you developed any software on your own? yes____ no____ a. If yes: what advice do you have teachers planning to write their own software? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ (Optional: attach brief description of your software) b. If no: are you planning to develop any software?___________ 12. What percentage of total class time per semester do you use to teach computer skills?_______________________________________________________
Computers in Composition Instruction
COMPUTERS and COMPOSITION 2(2), February 1985, page 13 13. When do you teach the necessary computer skills? beginning of semester only____ Throughout semester____ 14. What percentage of class time per week do students spend working with computers?______ % per week. 15. How much time do you expect students to spend on the computer outside of class? _____hours per week. 16. What support systems are available to your students for computer problems that arise outside of class? 17. How many papers do you assign per semester? Is this more or fewer than you assigned without computers? More____ Fewer____ 18. During which stage(s) of writing do students use computers? required suggested Planning ___ ___ First draft ___ ___ Revisions ___ ___ Final draft ___ ___ 19. Rate the usefulness of computers when teaching the following: extremely somewhat little Grammar ____ ____ ____ Idea generation ____ ____ ____ First draft writing ____ ____ ____ Revision ____ ____ ____ Proofreading ____ ____ ____ 20. What is the one most needed piece of software which you would like to see developed for use in your classes? 21. Was overcoming student fear of computers a problem? yes___ no___ If yes, what suggestions can you give for helping students overcome computer phobia?
COMPUTERS and COMPOSITION 2(2), February 1985, page 14 22. What is the main advantage computer use offers in teaching? 23. What is the main disadvantage? 24. What would you do/are you doing differently to avoid problems you experienced with: (a) students (b) equipment and software (c) course structure 25. How would you teach your course in the best of all possible worlds? Describe an ideal situation: students, equipment, syllabus, time frame, etc. ________________________________________________________________________________ Thanks very much for your cooperation!