Wired: Computer Networks in the English Classroom

another via computer links. Some computer systems have networks built in automatically-such as a mainframe or a UNIX operating system (standard on AT&T equipment); other systems have networking capabilities so that given the right hardware and software, computers can "talk" to each other. E-mail is standard on the more powerful, larger systems. In addition, mainframes often hook into BITNET, an international e-mail system; for example, because my school has BITNET access, when I log onto my computer, the return addresses include Sweden and Canada as well as Kansas City and Ithaca. I am not a "tekkie" though, and the purpose of this article is not to describe hardware and software. As English teachers, our role is to ask why we want computers available to our students, and what we will do with them. Frankly, computers mean big bucks, and if we don't have sound pedagogical reasons for them, then they are worthless. Computers purchased so that students may do grammar worksheets on screen fit the worthless category; however, computers used so students may write and rewrite with greater ease have value. Most computer/writing rooms are designed with word processing in mind-often including spell and style checkers. As another way to make those computer dollars pay off, networking offers a collaborative model for writing and learning that word processing alone often does not. Pedagogically, our goal is for students to become better writers by writing purposeful, meaningful prose. In short, real writing for real audiences. Electronic mail helps serve just that function. Here are possibilities for writing projects using e-mail.