Textual Analysis with Computers to Improve the Writing Skills of Business Communications Students

Abstract

This research assesses the effects of students' use of Writer's Workbench, a collection of computer textual analysis programs, in the business communications class. While assignment grades for students using the programs did not improve the first two semesters of use, grades did improve the third semester, which may reflect the extensive refinements the authors made to the programs after the first two semesters. Likewise, assignment preparation time increased the first two semesters and decreased the third semester, indicating that teachers and laboratory assistants need time to learn how to help students use the computers and programs efficiently. Students consistently showed favorable attitudes toward using the programs.

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References

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