Computer-Aided Acquisition of Writing Skills

This article presents the results of a review of the literature questioning whether and to what extent computers can be used as a means of instruction for the guided acquisition of communicative writing skills in higher education. To answer this question, the present paper first explores the characteristics of acquiring these skills from a cognitive-psychological perspective, as well as the characteristics and behaviour of expert writers. On this basis, the paper then describes whether and how computer-aided instruction can relieve teachers of certain duties associated with writing instruction, allowing them more time to perform tasks which fully utilise their unique capabilities.