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

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keys Bad habits become ingrained and are difficult to break Keyboarding is the one computer skill that will not become outdated.

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Keyboarding is the one computer skill that will not become outdated.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)‏

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!