Students Practice Writing In Collaborative Process
Writing Expedition operates in a network environment to teach collaborative writing and analysis. The program divides the writing process into three stages: prewriting, drafting and editing/revising. In each stage, students are engaged in activities that involve the teacher and fellow classmates.
CorrectText, a grammar correction system, assists in the revision stage by parsing compositions in text, identifying relationships between words and more. The program also offers a peer-review process, in which students electronically post their work on the network. Other students may then edit the material, using either a Mac or Windows computer.
Special tools allow teachers to grade holistically, awarding separate scores for integration, organization, focus, creativity and both major and minor convention errors. Compass, the package's management system, gives teachers a way to assign and manage writing assignments, communicating with them throughout the entire process. Ideal Learning, Irving, TX, (800) 999-3234. WM
This article originally appeared in the 02/01/1996 issue of THE Journal.