"Because We Are Shy and Fear Mistaking": Computer Mediated Communication with EFL Writers

Martha Clark Cummings
2004 Journal of Basic Writing  
We welcome manuscripts of 15-25 pages, double spaced, on topics related to basic and ESL writing, broadly interpreted. Submissions should follow current MLA guidelines. Manuscripts are refereed anonymously. To assure impartial review, include name(s), affiliation(s), mailing and e-mail addresses, and a short biographical note for publication on the cover page only. The second page should include the title but no author identification, an abstract of about 150 words, and a list of 4-5 key words.
more » ... Endnotes should be kept to a minimum. It is the author's responsibility to obtain permission for including excerpts from student writing. We prefer that contributions be submitted as Word document attachments via e-ABSTRACT: I conducted teacher research in a basic writing computer classroom to discover what two basic writers brought to the computer classroom that could complicate their interactions with technology and their ability to write with computers during our class. My discussion is twofold: First, I explore the writers' differing attitudes towards computers, writing, and writing with computers and the effects of these attitudes on my pedagogy. Second, in the guise of presenting opportunity, the computers accentuated the differences in the students' past technological opportunities. The computers empowered the two students by giving them access to the technology for their writing, yet the students were at a disadvantage when compared to their classmates who were more experienced in using computers. I conclude by discussing the effects that these case studies and the issues that emerged from them have had on my pedagogy.
doi:10.37514/jbw-j.2004.23.2.03 fatcat:hwyeo57cxrhn3mqw3ejlsqurze