A recent publication in JLTA (Journal of Learning, Technology and Assessment) provides meta-analytic comparative (with pencil-paper efforts) evidence of the impact of computers on both quality and quantity of writing. Less rigorous evidence of enhanced collaboration and revision activities.

The Effect of Computers on Student Writing: A Meta-analysis. Quote: "Meta-analyses were performed including 26 studies conducted between 1992--2002 focused on the comparison between K--12 students writing with computers vs. paper-and-pencil. Significant mean effect sizes in favor of computers were found for quantity of writing (d=.50, n=14) and quality of writing (d= .41, n=15). Studies focused on revision behaviors between these two writing conditions (n=6) revealed mixed results. Others studies collected for the meta-analysis which did not meet the statistical criteria were also reviewed briefly. These articles (n=35) indicate that the writing process is more collaborative, iterative, and social in computer classrooms as compared with paper-and-pencil environments. [sigma]"
[Serious Instructional Technology]

The authors of this study are to be thanked. Hard evidence from well conceived studies give us far more than simple speculation without evidence. But , more than that, the combination galvanizes supportive or remedial action more effectively than opinion (holding everything else constant-- and this IS an opinion)

Given my interest in the individual transformational dynamics, I would like to see the results of individual longitudinal studies of thinking/writing style as impacted by an intervention (e.g., as in this case-- the use of pencil-paper vs computers while trying to write.). Using Piaget's vocabulary, how is genetic epistemological development affected by the two interventions.

There's more: I would like even more to see the impact of journaling (pencil-paper) and weblogging on writing behavior, specifically their impact on depth and volume of independent writing as well as measures breadth and depth of individual mental processing. These comparison will help us see the impact of introspection alone (journal) vs introspection plus collaboration plus web search (weblogging) on the intellectual, social and ethical processing of the writer. May one, or a number, of us soon start such an effort!