ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF NETWORKING ON COMPUTER-ASSISTED COLLABORATIVE WRITING IN A 5TH-GRADE CLASSROOM

Our study examined the effects of a computer-mediated networked learning environment on the writing of fifth grade students who used word processing to write four texts collaboratively during an eight week period. A telecommunication network was utilized to allow the students in the experimental group to send their work via e-mail to an audience of readers who read and responded to their writing. Findings suggest that when students knew they would be sending their writing to an outside reader and when they received a prompt response, there was a positive effect on the quality of writing. Results also suggest females used the computer technology when the environment was cooperative and they had equal access to the equipment. There is also indication that writing to communicate to an authentic audience outside the classroom may have contributed to the males in the experimental group scoring significantly higher on the writing assignments than the males in the control.