Computers are used most often for independent work. Students often are most engaged and motivated, however, when interacting with their peers. One way to increase collaboration among computer-savvy students is to encourage peer editing of documents created using Microsoft Word.

Of course, the same tools students use for peer editing also can be used by teachers to provide embedded assessment during draft stages of student writing.

Three Word tools in particular make editing text easy and fun. They are the highlighter, change tracker, and comment tools.

Next: Just the highlights.