Critical Review of Recent Studies Investigating Effects of Word Processing-Assisted Writing and Pen-and-Paper Writing on the Quality of Writing and Higher Level Revisions

摘要

This paper presents a critical review on studies that compared the effects of word processing-assisted writing and pen-and-paper writing on the quality of writing and higher level revisions. I argue that, the mixed results can be attributed to flaws in the research design, including forcing students who were skilled in writing with computers to compose with pen and paper during the data collection, using thinking-aloud protocols for evaluation, and failing to state the time limit for and the venue of conducting the writing task. I conclude by suggesting directions for future research.