Through an examination of literature in the fields of Basic Writing and developmental education, this essay provides some historical perspective and examines the prevalent discourses on the use of computer-mediated technologies in the basic writing classroom. The author uses Bertram Bruce's (1997) framework of various "stances" on literacy technologies to both contextualize discussion of technology in the field of Basic Writing and to consider implications for further discussion and research. By emphasizing the interrelatedness of technology and literacy, a "transactional" stance on computer-mediated technologies relies on the idea of literacy as a social practice, and would therefore align better with the overall values of the field of Basic Writing.