New Releases - Improve High School Students' Writing Skills
From Carnegie Learning, Inc. and Command Technologies, Inc. comes Cognitive Tutor for Writers, a computer-based writing tutor based on cognitive science research at Carnegie Mellon University. Originally developed by the United States Air Force, the software incorporates a personalized, student-centered approach. The tutor allows teachers to customize writing assignments to fit the needs of individual students, so that beginning writers can work on easier assignments, while advanced writers work at an accelerated pace. The software includes over 100 pre-programmed assignments, and also lets teachers create their own writing assignments. Its multiple levels of support include motivational features designed to foster enthusiasm and confidence.
Cognitive Tutor for Writers has been tested in high schools and post-secondary schools across the country for seven years, and has been shown to increase students' analytical reasoning skills and overall writing quality. Its step-by-step approach guides students through pre-writing, drafting, revision and editing. The software is available in both LAN-based and Internet-based versions. Carnegie Learning, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, (412) 683-MATH, www.carnegielearning.com.
This article originally appeared in the 02/01/2001 issue of THE Journal.