Keyboarding

Why Teach Keyboarding?

• "Schools can no longer prepare students for the workplace of the future without providing them with skills necessary for using computers competently. One of those necessary skills is, of course, keyboarding."
• PSB K-8 Keyboarding Benchmarks Our students are expected to type at specific levels and speeds as they progress through the grade levels. Keyboarding becomes more and more important as get older and their work transitions from mostly pencil and paper to mostly computer based.
• Much of our work is done on the computers. Students need to be able to type effectively to be able to communicate effectively through writing.

Do you have 5 Minutes to Explore Keyboarding?

• Explore how to log-in and get started.

Do you have more time to explore further?

• Take a look at our Home Row Keys to explore proper finger positioning .
• Dig into out Keyboarding Ergonomics page to explore proper posture .
• Have Fun with a quick Keyboarding Practice Game.
• Explore our Additional Keyboarding Resources.

Log-in To Type To Learn

• Directions to Log-in (Registered Users in Brookline Schools) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DvDOi4jNdWgXFxZlpvvQqXIrJRRrDk75htBAvhiU94I/edit?usp=sharing

Home Row Keys

I always focus on proper typing technique before teaching accuracy or speed. I have a poster that reads "Technique, Technique, Technique, Technique, Technique, Technique, Technique, Technique, Accuracy, Speed. " When students use the Home Row Keys their fingers are in the correct position so they can easily reach any key. Since, their fingers are always in the same position it become muscle memory on how to press a certain letter. At this point students can stop looking at the keys. Once , proper technique is established we begin to focus on accuracy. Speed comes naturally as the student practices more with great technique and accuracy.

• Home Row & Keyboarding Fingers K- 3 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LfyQMkrFGryQ9hE_ewbM3bBbf6m3aHB110ACHkLp0ao/edit?usp=sharing
• Home Row & Keyboarding Fingers 4-12 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bY41Tynto-RJ8pjXWZf0EdwxeEdmR69fp6j2XdxTbZA/edit?usp=sharing

Keyboarding Ergonomics

Having proper while typing is essential. When you sit straight, with your feet on the floor slightly in front of you, and your eyes are on the screen it is the same move to hit a certain key each time. With proper posture, typing a specific key, becomes muscle memory with lots of practice. Accuracy and speed naturally improves as the student practices further with great posture.

• Proper Posture https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MAl5361e6fyJXk2D8aOgVuai6pydXYCtRH-aVA094rQ/edit?usp=sharing
• ​Keyboarding Tips & Techniques https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xS9bO8dtwqvxO6mtnWgaQxmGYSLwUr_3mjfje69HStc/edit?usp=sharing

Keyboarding Practice Games

• Type to Learn https://www.typetolearn.com/login/index.php?code=276ZX2
• Nitro Type https://www.nitrotype.com/
• Keyboard Climber https://www.tvokids.com/school-age/games/keyboard-climber
• Dance Mat Typing https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfr
• Type Racer https://play.typeracer.com/
• Typing Club https://www.typingclub.com/ Always free
• Typing.com http://Typing.com Always free.

Resources to Explore Keyboarding Further:

• Typing Tips: The How and Why of Teaching Students Keyboarding Skills http://www.kathleenamorris.com/2018/03/26/typing/
• Teaching Keyboarding: More Than Just Typing https://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech072.shtml

More...

• Why is it so important to teach children how to type? http://www.crazy4computers.net/philospohpy-why-teach-typing.html
• Five Tips for Teaching Typing and Why It's Essential https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-04-08-five-tips-for-teaching-typing-and-why-it-s-essential