Abstract:
The focus of my action research was the learning experiences of two groups of high school
students as they went through the process of writing a literary research paper. One group was
provided instruction through teacher-facilitated online tutorials and high access to computers
throughout the project. The other group received more traditional instruction. I hoped to
determine if there was a difference in student achievement based on the means of delivery of
instruction and the immersive use of computers. The results of the study indicated that students
in the intervention, while generating less text, scored an average of ten points higher on their
final drafts. During the process of composing their rough drafts, the students in the intervention
were three times less likely to be off task, and the responses of students and teacher were positive
in regards to the increased use of computers and the new means of delivery of instruction.