Heath: Thoughtful Technology Integration

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. Click here to explore our Keyboarding Bencharks

Heath School: 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.

Research has found that the best way to teach typing is to use drills dealing with key combinations where students adopt proper typing habits fast and remember them longer. Then, follow-up with typing stories or essays to apply what they have learned.
Homerow Keys, Posture, and Techniques: 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. " While typing, students are expected to sit with proper posture and to have their fingers on the home row 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.
Teaming with Parents Typing is introduced and continued in school but students practice at home. We work closely with parents to ensure they understand and reinforce student use of homerow keys, posture, and proper typing techniques.

Resources to Explore Keyboarding:

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

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