This report describes the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a learning activity package intended to enable middle school students to view and use the computer as a tool that has application in their everyday lives. Eighth grade students in two keyboarding classes used the computer as a word processing tool in the subject of language arts; teachers worked in conjunction with computer teaching specialists to develop relevant lessons for student practice. This learning activity consisted of writing a persuasive business letter and a Diamantes poem based on the story "The Man Without a Country." Results of administration of the self-paced course to 24 eighth grade students in Woodland Middle School, East Meadow, New York, indicated that the learning activity package was an effective medium for presenting the concept of using computers as writing tools. Students stated that they enjoyed learning independently and felt confident that they could use word processors in future assignments. Appended materials include copies of the learning activity package, pre- and post-learning student questionnaires, a review test, and the posttest. (27 references) (DB)