Newsgroups: bit.listserv.mbu-l
Date:         Thu, 8 Oct 1992 08:55:31 CDT
From:         "(ellis)" <nse2@RA.MSSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: TO TEACHERS OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED WRITING CLASSES

>      If you now teach, or have ever taught, a computer-assisted writing
> class, please help me with my research on the "History of Computer-
> assisted Classrooms in the Service of College Freshman Writing Courses."
> Feel free to expand--at length if you wish--on any of your answers.  I
> will share my findings with anyone who is interested.
>
>
> <<* SURVEY QUESTIONS *>>
>
> 1)   Does your school have a dedicated computer-assisted writing
>      classroom?
> 2)   When was the classroom established?
		We have a classroom with 24 pcs, Novell network
		with WP5.1 and Internet connections.  The lab
		is in its 5th semester of use (not counting
		summer terms), 4th "fulltime" semester
>
> 3)   Do your computer-assisted writing classes meet exclusively in
>      the dedicated computer classroom?  If not, how often DO you meet
>      in the computer classroom (1 of 3 periods; 2 of 3; 3 of 5;
>      1 of 5; etc.)?
		None of the classes meet exclusively in the lab.
		We schedule all sections of Freshman Comp. taught
		by teaching assistants for "introductory sessions"
		in the lab as soon as we can get them in when
		each semester starts.   TAs then schedule additional
		classes at their own discretion, on a first come, first
		served basis.  Many come for a session (either rough
		draft work  or  revision work) about every other paper,
		meaning about every 3 to 4 weeks.   Some NEVER come back.
		Others come more frequently.

		Regular faculty teaching comp sessions (generally
		those with remedial or off-semester courses) come
		much more often, about every third class session.

		We have one professor who teaches a remedial class
		2 of 3 class periods in the lab.

		Those teaching honors comp. generally spend no time
		in the lab, either because they have their students
		do all their writing outside class, their students are
		all computer literater, or the profs themselves are not
		comfortable with pcs.

		The same thing is true with advanced comp. classes.

>
> 4)   Do you know what percentage of freshman English students are
>      enrolled in your computer sections?  If so, what is that
>      percentage?
		Because we require all TAs to include wordprocessing
		our percentage is very high, c. 80% or more.
>
> 5)   Who teaches the courses in your computer classroom: professors,
>      lecturers, graduate student teaching assistants, anyone you can
>      persuade?  (Or does your department consider this a status
>      position, with teachers vying for a computer section?)

		See answer to #3.   We ARE getting competitive in that
		some faulty (instructors with heavy comp assignments)
		seem to schedule heavily in advance (experience) while
		the TAs (who are supervised closely) are just feeling
		their way and often come in wanting to reserve the
		lab "next week."

                 Scheduling is particularly touchy for exams


>
> 6)   What software do you use?  Do all teachers of computer-assisted
>      writing classes at your institution use the same software?  If
>      not, what other programs are used?
>
		Because we are in a networked environment, we now
		all use WordPerfect 5.1 .... which is available all
		over campus, in all networked labs.

		In the past when students had to purchase software
		when a few of us were borrowing labs, we used a great
		little inexpensive program Norton Textra!
> 7)   Is the classroom networked?
		Novell
>
> 8)   What percentage of your time do you spend in class teaching
>      computer know-how to your students?  Do you feel that this is
>      time well invested considering that this is, after all, an
>      English course?
		As the lab supervisor, I've written basic instructions
		that are "lab and composition specific" for our students.
		Multiple testings "prove" the instructions enable
		students to procede alone, when necessary.

		We began by devoting 2 class sessions to lab introduction,
		but have reduced this to 1 session because students
		come to school much more computer-comfortable (and maybe
>
> 9)   Are students chosen at random for these sections or may they
>      enroll specifically for computer-assisted writing sections?
		No choice for students in regular I and II comp.
		unless they are "off sequence."  Then, they generally
		don't know who uses computers and who doesn't.

>
>10)   Would you be willing to answer a more in-depth survey or be
>      interviewed by phone about your answers?
		Yes.
		601-325-2328


	Half of my appointment is "computer lab supervisor and general
	'consultant'" for the department.  I do departmental workshops
	on things like electronic mail and help whenever anyone is having
	specific problems.  I see to maintenance of the lab and
	specifically keep the lab open about 10 hours in the early
	afternoons to supervise and help students who want to come work
	on compositions.

	I also use the lab with "writing for engineers" students myself
	and I use the lab to have my lit students participate in
	email discussion/assignments.

> me at: ENGJTF@NCSUVM.CC.NCSU.EDU or ENGJTF@NCSUVM.BITNET.
>
>     Feel free to add statements or explanations regarding any of the
> above questions.  Also please pass this survey along to other
> interested persons or discussion groups (NOTE!  Cross-posted to:
> IPCT-L, Humanist, Megabyte U, Purtopoi).  Thank you for your time
> and energy in completing this questionnaire.
>
> Jim Fletcher
> Department of English, Box 8105
> North Carolina State University
> Raleigh, NC  27695-8105
>
Nancy Ellis
nse2@ra.mstate.edu
Mississippi State Univ