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Over the past few decades there has been a rise in the number of federally funded large scientific research initiatives, with increased calls to evaluate their processes and outcomes. This article describes efforts to evaluate such initiatives in one agency within the U.S. federal government. The authors introduce the Evaluation of Large Initiatives (ELI) project, a preliminary effort to explore how to accomplish such evaluation. They describe a pilot effort of this project to evaluate the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC) initiative of the National Cancer Institute. They present a summary of this pilot evaluation including the methods used (concept mapping, logic modeling, a detailed researcher survey, content analysis and systematic peer-evaluation of progress reports, bibliometric analysis and peer evaluation of publications and citations, and financial expenditures analysis) and a brief overview of results. Finally, they discuss several important lessons and recommendations that emerged from this work. (Contains 2 figures, 1 table, and 6 notes.)

Describes the new medium of e-mail as a sort of hybrid combining of print and speech. Argues that writing teachers must not ignore this new medium. Includes an e-mail update to "Elements of Style" and a description of how one teacher uses e-mail. (SR)

Describes the available computer network resources and some of the relevant terms, practices, and notions that are quickly evolving with the growth of the so-called information superhighway. Covers the historical trends and considers future challenges to be faced in view of changing technologies. (HB)

Describes the Polaroid Education Program. Discusses ways to incorporate instant photography and writing into a range of subject areas. (SR)

Focuses on design issues of HyperCard and introduces a variety of design-related topics to raise issues and to point to resources. (MG)

Discusses computers and related technologies as a significant means for acquiring language arts skills. Samples a wide array of uses for educational computing in English and language arts classes. (SR)

Describes how to transform a Rubik's cube into a tool for thinking and writing about literature. Notes how the six faces of the cube are labeled with common examples of theme, character, method, "world,""change," and reader perspective. Describes how, after shuffling, each face includes examples from each perspective. (RS)

Discusses the difficulty of figuring out how to show (not tell) someone what a compelling vision of education might be. Makes predictions about how technology will affect the teaching of writing. Asks readers to formulate their own predictions. (RS)

Reviews some of the attitudes and activities basic to the National Writing Project's Technology Network. (SR)

Outlines the various kinds of innovations in computers and telecommunications technology available to educators. Considers the everyday needs of teachers. Argues that teachers should learn to use fully any systems already available to them. (HB)

Argues for the value of technology, particularly computers, in the educational setting. Questions whether computers actually help improve student writing skills. Concludes that these questions are fraught with difficulties but that much further research should lead to clearer answers. (HB)

Recasts and expands the working assumptions of the National Writing Project to make explicit their applicability to technology-related issues. Discusses levels of involvement, levels of use, the Writing Project/Technology Project Alliance, and the futures of new technologies in the writing classroom. (RS)

Discusses issues surrounding virtual reality and "virtual books." Suggests that those who are exploring the territory of virtual realities are already helping to expand and enrich expectations and visions for integrating technology into reading and writing. (RS)

Provides an update and expansion of an earlier "Delphi Study" which predicted changes that might occur resulting from the impact of technology on the teaching of writing. Provides comments based on recent research. Discusses two books that focus specifically on technology and writing. (MG)

Discusses, in part four of a series on HyperCard, the general issue of innovation as it relates to HyperCard, and presents some of the "savvy" regarding HyperCard that has developed in the course of its use in the classroom and in teacher training. (SR)

Describes a simple computer game for writing poetry. Notes the advantages and limitations of such computer assisted English instruction. (RL)

Describes a computer program that prompts the user for different parts of speech and formats the words in a haiku-like poetic structure. (Available from "The Computing Teacher," Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403.) (AEA)

Argues that when students interrupt their thought flow during composition writing to edit language, syntax, or mechanics, the pauses obstruct fluency and dilute concentration. Use of the word processor for invisible composition is described to show how computers reduce time spent on composing and alter quantity and quality of time. (MBR)

First of a two-part series identifying probable changes in English instruction resulting from technology's impact on society and schools. Predicts consequences of interactive reading and writing software, style checkers, teacher-monitored networks in electronic writing labs, computer generated texts, and desktop publishing. (JG)

Second of a two-part series that identifies probable changes in English instruction resulting from technology's impact on society and schools. Provides a review of five books recommended for considering the source, nature, and direction of trends in hardware, software, and "neural netware," or brains. Reports questions used by researchers on this subject. (JG)

Examines HyperCard materials (computer software used to build structures that create patterns and connections) specifically designed for English and language arts classes. (MM)

Presents the second article in a two-part series on HyperCard materials (computer software used to build structures that create patterns and connections) designed for English and language arts classes. Suggests assignments for use with early HyperCard software that can be adapted to a variety of nonverbal "stackware." (MM)

Free writing--writing without concern about spelling, grammar, and punctuation--provides students with opportunities to practice without being judged. Some free writing activities are described that allow teachers of subjects other than English to improve their students' writing skills without sacrificing time for their own subject. (JMD)

"Compupoem" is a program that helps students write poems, emphasizes process/product, and encourages divergent problem-solving. A description of the program, sample student session, and an example of a completed poem are provided. The Computers and Poetry Project which produces elementary/secondary-level, interactive poetry-writing activities is also described. (JN)

Describes the National Writing Project's Technology Network. Outlines two specific national efforts of this network: (1) the National Writing Project/Polaroid Education Program Pilot Project, and (2) America's Smartest Home Videos. (HB)

Describes workshops offered in a cooperative venture between the California Writing Project and the California Technology Project to see how both technology and writing could provide useful and intriguing tools for teaching math and training math educators. (SR)

Considers how issues surrounding multicultural education are relevant to the use and role of technology in education. Discusses ways that educators are helping enhance and transform the experiences of the increasingly complex modern day classrooms through technology. (HB)

Shares a variety of illuminating metaphors for expressing the special nature and spirit of Hypercard (computer software used to build structures that create patterns and connections). Emphasizes Hypercard's multiple personalities and reminds readers that there are many useful and enriching ways to describe Hypercard. (MG)

Expresses gratitude and respect to James Gray, retiring Director of the National Writing Project, and lists assignments Gray has outlined for the National Writing Project. (SR)

Describes briefly two projects of the National Writing Project (NWP) that encourage the incorporation of technology into NWP activities: the NWP/Polaroid Education Program Pilot Project and the "America's Smartest Home Videos" Awards Project. (SR)

Describes how Forrest Houlette, director of the Indiana Writing Project, introduces teachers to the advantages of using computers (without evoking the anxieties of those new to technology) by focusing on simple, straightforward solutions to everyday problems that teachers face. (SR)

Discusses the use of computers and word processing programs in two-year college writing instruction. Compares levels of student use of word processing in writing tasks. Reviews factors to be considered in evaluating software. (DMM)

Presents a brief annotated bibliography of books, periodicals, and other resources for teachers when incorporating computers into English/language arts courses. (MM)