ABSTRACT
Context is seen to be important in shaping literacy practices because different contexts make available different tools and resources, and these resources, in turn, are seen to shape how different groups and individuals make meaning. Writing on the computer in all of these environments does, however, have a common characteristic, namely, that computer text is impermanent: it can be easily deleted and altered. Many commentators have argued that this is a key feature in enabling young people to write differently on a computer than with pen and paper, as it enables them to overcome motor difficulties, to develop more complex and sophisticated writing strategies, and to develop a flexible approach to writing which combines thinking, writing and product in one 'recursive and evolving text'. New tools to support this practice, such as digital cameras and scanners, and animation and film-making packages, are increasingly available for the domestic market.
