The curriculum of Typing.com will be used in this bee.  Teachers and students can access the app through Clever where the teacher's classes will be synced.  Students will start with lesson 1 and continue at their own pace earning certificates, and credits for creating their own avatars and access to typing games.  Periodically, the curriculum will have students take timed tests, but teachers can and are encouraged to assign tests at any time. Teachers can view all lessons and tests and have the option to create assignments and assessments.  

Did your students compete in the bee last year? Good news! Your student's progress will be saved in the platform from last year (as long as they are using the same okcps log in) and they can proceed forward. There are higher level lessons in the platform and lessons on everything from how to type a letter to coding. All of these things practice good typing skills and are reinforced as they learn the lessons. Extension exercises are available below as well. Check them out and ask your ETS representative if you need more ideas.

The steps to the process have been explained below. Still have questions? Contact your ETS representative here.

Timing is Everything

Scheduling regular class time to practice keyboarding is THE key to success! Allowing students to work on Typing.com on their own during self directed time is one way, but a better way is to foster a sense of purpose by setting aside specific times and holding "mini bees" in your classroom regularly. 

Here are other quick tips for success:

• Try the program yourself and become very familiar with the possibilities of Typing.com. 

• Students will be more motivated if they understand why keyboarding and hand position are important. 

  • Try this video: Why is keyboarding important?

• Focus their efforts on accuracy before speed. Both words per minute AND accuracy are used to calculate the winners!

• Encourage proper hand position at all times and use that category as a third determinate in measuring student success. 

• Keep sessions short, 20 minutes at most, and end with a mini celebration or positive comment. 

• Watch out for overall postures as well. The height and position of the keyboard is paramount to best success. 

• Organize with your parent support group to provide small prizes for your champions and participants. 

• Include parents in your efforts and publicize to celebrate keyboarding successes on school websites and Workplace! Don't forget to use our #OKCPSKeyBee in your posts!

• And, of course, include your ETS representative in your championship!