An Introduction to Teaching Composition in an Electronic Environment

by Eric Hoffman

An Introduction to Teaching Composition in an Electronic Environment is designed for instructors who have an average knowledge of computers overall and very little training or experience on how they can be used beneficially in the composition classroom. As such, the book focuses on offering practical explanations and specific ideas for lesson plans that can easily be incorporated into class time. The book is divided into two parts. The first section explains the basics of the three main computer tools used in word processor, e-mail, and the World Wide Web, and focuses on some basic ways these tools can be implemented for teaching writing. While the material assumes some basic knowledge, major concepts and terminology are always explained and defined fully. The second section addresses more directly the application of technology in the classroom. It includes practical advice on preparing for a course with an electronic component and what to do the first few days of class. This section also includes a series of lesson plans categorized according to pedagogical goals and technological requirements. A third section includes trouble-shooting guides for common problems in the lab, a glossary of computer terms, sample Web pages that teachers can adapt for their courses, a section on Netiquette, and an index of on-line writing and grammar resources on the Web. For teachers of college-level writing.

257 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2000

Reviews

[Mark Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating for this text is probably lower than it deserves, but I can't give it more than two stars because it's terribly outdated. (I'm sure that it was a wonderful resource for educators who wished update the way composition is taught, at the time it was published.)

I might recommend this book as a starting place if you are just beginning to think about how to modernize your composition classroom, but I would also encourage you to seek texts that better deal with new technologies when it comes time to implement the ideas in Hoffman's text.