ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the Criterion Online Writing Evaluation Service, an online instructional writing tool that supports easy collection of writing samples, efficient scoring of writing, and immediate feedback using the e-rater Automated Essay Scoring (AES) engine. It is the earliest instructional writing products for classroom use backed by automated evaluation and scoring, and is available for use across grades 4 to 12 and in higher education institutions, domestically and internationally. The chapter discusses the growth of digital writing technologies, place the Criterion service within that context, and identify the primary skills targeted by the service's automated scoring and feedback capabilities. It provides an overview of the Criterion service as a pedagogical writing environment, discusses potential impacts of Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) technology on classroom learning and instruction, summarizes key efficacy studies, and outlines how teachers can access the Criterion service and integrate it with classroom practice. The chapter discusses current limitations of the service and future directions for enhancement.
