Keyboarding
Keyboarding
Embedded Files
Free Keyboarding Instruction
Free Keyboarding Instruction
PreK-12th
The Edmonds School District provides free access to Typing Club for our students in grades 2 -6 through the student's ESD Clever account. Older and younger students may use the free version of Typing Club, but it contains ads.
More about TypingClub:
Lesson plan choices include instruction for different ages, multiple language options, one hand typing, stories to practice typing, and digital citizenship
The Typing Jungle lesson series includes videos and games
Voice over/text-to-speech and font customization options
K-12th
Typing.com is free, but requires a one-time fee to remove ads. Read the Common Sense Education comparison between TypingClub and Typing.com.
Ages 7 - 11 (BBC suggested age range)
Animated cartoon characters teach introductory keyboarding lessons in Dance Mat Typing, a resource from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The BBC categorizes it with learning tools for 7-11 year-olds, but Dance Mat Typing would probably work best for kids at the lower end of that span and could even be a good fit for those who are younger than seven.
Paid Keyboarding Instruction
Paid Keyboarding Instruction
The following resources require a paid subscription and are not available through our school or district:
Nessy Fingers - Ages 7 and above
QwertyTown 1st - 8th
Touch-type Read & Spell 3rd-12th, ages 7 and above
Typing Pal Ages 6 and above
Typing Quest 6th-12th
Questions & Answers about Keyboarding
Questions & Answers about Keyboarding
What age should my child start learning keyboarding?
What age should my child start learning keyboarding?
Please start keyboarding instruction by 3rd grade:
According to the English language arts standards for Washington State, students should use be able to use technology and keyboarding skills to produce and publish writing by the end of 3rd grade.
Washington State law requires our program to administer computer-based state assessment tests to students starting in the 3rd grade. You can help make these assessments easier for your child by making sure they have keyboarding skills and are comfortable using a computer and a mouse.
Learn more about research and recommendations in a literature review by Freeman et al.
When should my child start learning about computers and technology?
When should my child start learning about computers and technology?
Take the opportunity to follow the Washington State Educational Technology Learning Standards and look for ways to help your child locate, evaluate, use, and produce information with digital tools and resources in an age-appropriate way by the end of 2nd grade. Please ask in the library for help and suggestions.
Should my child still learn handwriting?
Should my child still learn handwriting?
Yes. See the answer to "Does my child need to learn handwriting?" on the Writing: Questions & Answers page.
What can be done to encourage students to touch-type instead of looking at their fingers or the keyboard when they type?
What can be done to encourage students to touch-type instead of looking at their fingers or the keyboard when they type?
Covering the keys can help. For example:
Keyboard stickers to cover the letters
Make your own cardboard cover or simply use a piece of paper
Solid colored keyboard skin with no letters
Specialized blank or color-coded keyboard
How much time should my child spend on lessons?
How much time should my child spend on lessons?
Short daily lessons each school day are generally more effective than longer practice times fewer days per week.
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