Page 14 - Composition in Convergence The Impact of the New Media on Writing Assessment

PREFACE xi xi

the learning process. It demonstrates how and why we think the
way we do; it should challenge us to see the world and our thoughts
differently when we complete an assignment; it should help us dis-
cover more about the relationships we have in our studies and in our
lives. If technology leads us toward better, more thoughtful writing,
then that is a good thing. If we let technology supplant writing in the
Composition classroom, then our day jobs are in danger.
I wish to thank many people for helping me discover more about
the relation that exist between computer and assessment technolo-
gies in the writing classroom. First, there are the scholars cited
throughout this book. Their ideas, theories, and suggestions made
me look long and hard at what was happening in my own class-
room. Second, my students are central to what transpired over the
last 5 years. Their interest in, resistance to, and enjoyment of com-
puters and writing assessment made it clear to me that faculty need
to pay attention to how technology affects the entire learning pro-
cess. Last, thanks to Linda Bathgate, my editor, and Karen Wittig
Bates, my assistant editor, at Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, for be-
lieving in this book. Each of these relationships has been important
in its own respect. Although all these individuals played a signifi-
cant part in the development of this project, any errors or omis-
sions are mine alone.

Glassboro, New Jersey
July 2004