Keyboard

Keyboarding Instruction
Why?
When?
What?
Who?
How?

Why Teach Keyboarding?
Preschoolers are now using the keyboard
Without instruction students develop random “hunt and peck” techniques
Creative ideas are lost and frustration occurs while searching for correct keys
Bad habits become ingrained and are difficult to break
Keyboarding is the one computer skill that will not become outdated.

Research Shows Many Benefits
Greater gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, word study skills, and spelling
Improved independent reading, superior listening and organization skills, and improved attention span
Students are stimulated to compose when they can work quickly and do not have to worry about correct letter formation

What About Voice Recognition? Will It Replace Keyboarding?
Voice recognition computers need to be programmed to recognize each voice that will be used with that computer
Users are limited to the machine that is programmed to their voice
Businesses using voice recognition are finding problems with the software recognizing different accents

Additional Disadvantages
Voice recognition is more time consuming than keyboarding
Editing errors and making revisions can be difficult
Voice recognition software creates an added expense
It is not available on all computers

Who Should Teach Keyboarding?
Ideally keyboarding should be taught by specialists in the field (usually business education majors) with assistance from the classroom teacher
A merging of expertise results in a team teaching situation that would be beneficial to all concerned

Without Team Teaching
Elementary teachers should be given the opportunity to learn touch keyboarding
Those responsible for teaching keyboarding should also receive training in the methods of teaching keyboarding
All current and future elementary teacher training programs should include the skill and methods of teaching keyboarding

Keyboarding Is A Skill
Consistent practice is needed--not just once or twice a week like music or art classes
Use “mental” practice for daily reviews if a keyboard is not available
The keyboard can be presented in ten lessons but it will take more than one class to learn each lesson properly
Each lesson must be mastered by touch before moving on to the next lesson

When To Teach Keyboarding?
Instruction should be provided before students become involved in computer activities requiring extensive keyboarding
A readiness phase is suggested from kindergarten to grade two
Experts recommend a working knowledge of the entire alphabetic keyboard at the third grade level

Kindergarten
Identify letters of the alphabet on the keyboard
Identify right-hand and left-hand sides of the keyboard
Demonstrate use of the space bar and Return/Enter keys

First Grade
Identify which keys are specific to the right-hand and left-hand sides of the keyboard
Enter simple words using hunt and peck method while maintaining use of correct hand
Use specialized computer keys (Esc, Ctrl, and basic Function keys)‏

Second Grade
Demonstrate proper finger position on Home Row keys
Demonstrate correct posture and proper stroking on Home Row keys
Keyboard simple sentences looking at keyboard when necessary for non-Home Row keys

Third Grade
Demonstrate proper stroking technique for each letter of the alphabet
Keyboard word lists and sentences using correct posture and proper stroking
Demonstrate the proper usage of Shift keys

Fourth Grade
Demonstrate proper keyboarding techniques while increasing speed and maintaining accuracy
Display proper skills for keyboarding from copy
Demonstrate correct usage of Shift and numerals on top row to obtain commonly used symbols

Fifth Grade
Increase keyboarding speed by five words per minute while maintaining accuracy and proper technique
Demonstrate proper skills to keyboard from copy

Sixth Grade
Apply proper keyboarding skills across the curriculum
Increase keyboarding speed by five words per minute while maintaining accuracy and proper technique

What To Teach
Ergonomics and correct posture
Basic computer usage skills (power on, use the mouse, log in, access programs, log out)‏
The home row keys by touch
All other letters are taught by touch in relationship to the home row
Simple word processing skills like word wrap, delete, edit, save, backup, and print
Speed and accuracy development

Repetitive Strain Injury
RSI is caused by repeating the same task over and over again
It can result in the hands and arms from the use of computer keyboards and mice
It is a very serious and painful condition that is far easier to prevent than to cure
Up to 36% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients require unlimited medical treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel is considered the chief occupational hazard and is one of the more common Repetitive Strain Injuries
It is the number one reported medical problem accounting for about 60% of all work-related injuries
It is the second most common type of surgery
Women are twice as likely as men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness or burning in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows
Tingling, coldness, or numbness in hands
Clumsiness or loss of strength and coordination in the hands
Pain that wakes you up in the night
Feeling a need to massage your hands, wrists, and arms

Prevention of Carpal Tunnel
Correct typing posture and right equipment setup are much more important than ergonomic gadgets like split keyboards
Position the chair and keyboard so that the thighs and forearms are level
Research shows that a monitor position lower and farther away is helpful
Most importantly keep the wrists straight and level

Do not rest your wrists on anything while typing
Do not bend your wrists to the side. Your fingers should be in a straight line with your forearm
Research indicates that all of the above is easier to do if you tilt the back edge of your keyboard down, away from you
Rest your hands in your lap instead of leaving them on the keyboard when you stop typing

Don’t pound the keys; use a light touch
Position the mouse at least six inches from the edge of the desk
Hold the mouse lightly, don’t grip it hard or squeeze it
Learn and use keyboard equivalent commands to avoid reaching back and forth from the keyboard to the mouse
Use two hands to perform double-key operations like Ctrl-C or Ctrl-S
Take lots of short breaks to stretch and relax

Correct Keyboarding Posture

Accuracy Development
Use diagnostic tests to pinpoint the source of the students’ errors
Individually assign corrective drills that focus on specific letters, fingers, rows, key combinations, or types of errors such as transpositions or opposite fingers
Students make more concentration errors than any other type of error

Drills To Force Concentration On Each Individual Letter
Key each drill line perfectly two to three times before moving to next line
Key similar words
Key long words
Key unusual words
Key words in a foreign language
Key lines or paragraphs backwards

Speed Development
Speed development is built by repetition
Each line of the speed drill should be keyed perfectly ten times before moving on to the next line
Students begin at a slow rate and gradually increase their speed until they are keying at a fast, accurate rate of speed

Rotate Types of Speed Drills
Sentences containing the most commonly used words
Sentences containing long words
Sentences containing double letters
Sentences requiring vertical strokes
Sentences containing one-hand words
Sentences containing all letters of alphabet

Timed Writings
Results are measured in words per minute
Every five keystrokes is considered one word (includes spacebar and Enter keys)‏
Timings are not designed to improve speed or accuracy and should not be used for that purpose
They are used only to measure progress
Start with one-minute timings and gradually build to three-minute timed writings

What About Accuracy On Timings?
Most experts allow one error per minute
Opinions vary on whether or not to allow corrections while timing
Some experts say not to focus on accuracy until after students learn the key locations.
However, allowing unlimited errors at first may cause students to develop bad habits
Consider allowing more errors at first and then gradually cut back on number of errors

How Shall I Grade?
Should I use the top timed writing or should I average timings?
Should I include grades on daily work and keying technique?
Should I include grading on basic computer knowledge and usage?
Should I even be grading at all?
Experts cannot agree on these issues!

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Keyboard

by dseemedia on Aug 17, 2008

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