RE: Help needed on computers/sofware. (fwd)

[Ellen Mohr <emohr@msm2.johnco.cc.ks.us>]

We have several software programs that we use in our Center on a regular   
basis with adult learners, esp. ESL and developmental.  Guides is a   
program by ETS which is excellent and can be networked on an IBM   
compatible system.  It has a section on organization and development of   
paragraphs and short compostions plus an English fundamentals section   
that reviews the rules of writing.  Another program is ELLIS which is a   
multimedia program for ESL.  We have some Russian students who have been   
working in our Center for several years; they note that this is the best   
program they have ever used.  It includes pronunciation and has a   
recorder built in.  We also use Blue Pencil, an editing program which has   
been around awhile and Perfect Copy.  Both programs have students working   
with paragraphs or short compositions rather than isolated sentences.   
 MicroLab, a program by Houghton Mifflin,  is an assessment of students'   
ability to recognize and correct errors in writing.  The program has been   
revised and still needs some work, but we have found it to be an   
excellent program to support freshmen comp students.  It is for both   
platforms--Mac and p.c.  JCCC is a beta site for the software so we are   
busily documenting problems, usage, etc.  If you want more specific   
information, contact me at emohr@johnco.cc.ks.us

 ----------
From:  Eric Crump <wleric@showme.MISSOURI.edu>
Sent:  Friday, August 30, 1996 10:04 AM
To:  Multiple recipients of list <wcenter@ttacs6.ttu.edu>
Subject:  Help needed on computers/sofware. (fwd)



 ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 10:49:40 -0400
From: Arlene Greene <ALG625@aol.com>
Reply-To: "Moderated Writing Center forum."   
<WCENTR-L@MIZZOU1.MISSOURI.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list WCENTR-L <WCENTR-L@MIZZOU1.MISSOURI.EDU>
Subject: Help needed on computers/sofware.

Hi.  I've been a lurker for quite some time.  I'm Director of the WC at
Columbia College in Chicago, and we have finally been given a budget for
 computers and software.  I know nothing about any of this and would
appreciate any advice and comments on effective software for Writing   
Process,
ESL, LD, Basic Writers, etc.  The powers that be tell me I need to find   
out
what software I'll be using before they can determine what kind of   
hardware
I'll need.  Networking is a possibilitly.  We will have approximately   
$18,000
to work with, and would like to set up a couple 'computer pods'.   I do   
know
that I do not want the computers to be used only for simply 'word
processing'.

I see this as a beginning and I want it to be something I can build on.
Computer furniture has to come out of the budget, and the ESL coordinator
feels we need at least 1 or 2 Mac's (she has some software that can only   
be
used on Mac's) and the others can be IBM's.  I'm sorry if this request   
sounds
fragmented -- I barely know what to ask.
I'd appreciate any help you can give me on this.  I welcome any direct
replies via E-Mail. Thanks much.

Arlene Greene
Columbia College
ALG625@AOL.COM


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