No longer do teachers rely on the pen and paper method as their only means to teach writing. There is no explanation for this lack of research because Shaver successfully conducted an experiment that suggests attitudes can be assessed reliably. It is important to study the changes in student attitudes towards writing because attitudes effect performance, and we, as teachers, want our students to perform at the highest level possible. Understanding this research is important because of the ever-growing presence of computers in secondary school. As educators, it is important that we know how effective using a computer is when compared to traditional methods used to teach writing so that we may chose the best available methods of instruction.
Most research says there is a positive effect on attitudes.
However, additional research shows computers have little, if any, effect on the secondary student's attitude toward writing. This paper will review the research concerning the correlation between using computers to teach writing and their effect on the writing attitudes of secondary students. The research that shows that attitudes towards writing are significantly changed when computers are involved will be presented in a comparison and contrast format with the research that shows no improvement in students' attitudes when writing with computers. The meaning of the following terms is essential so that everyone may understand the implications of the research concerning computers and their impact on the writing attitudes of secondary students. Attitude - the way a person acts, thinks, or feels that reveals their disposition or opinion concerning a particular matter.