Strategies for Teaching/Learning Keyboarding

Learning to use the keyboard competently should be viewed as learning to use a tool that assists a student to work in the technological framework of the 21st century. It is a natural extension of the writing process. All students will benefit greatly from knowing that they can write, edit their work, and communicate easily with others. Good keyboarding skills will aid students as they write, do research, solve problems, communicate with others and achieve competence throughout their educational career.

Teaching keyboarding at a developmentally appropriate age prevents the development of poor keyboarding habits. From the time a student first sits at a computer, proper posture, positioning and keyboard techniques should be encouraged.

Keyboarding Objectives for Students

to develop the correct touch typing technique
to key data quickly and accurately
to demonstrate operational skills in using the computer
to be able to key accurately, at a rate of 20 Words Per Minute (WPM)
to understand health and safety issues of using the computer

Are Typing Programs a Requirement?

Students may use a specialized keyboarding program to learn to type, but they do not necessarily need one. Today's students spend a lot of time on the computer and that time can be put to use learning and honing their keyboarding skills. Every time a student uses a computer, they can be reminded of the proper positioning and posture and practice their keyboarding skills while doing another task (suggestions for practice ideas are below). The resources section of this website has more suggestions on typing programs if you do decide to use one.

Emphasize Accuracy, Positioning, and Posture!

Accuracy, not speed, should be emphasized from the start. Speed will improve with practice.

Proper posture

sitting up straight with back against the chair

having feet in front, on the floor

looking at the monitor or work that you are keying from

arms at sides and still

wrists straight

Hand Positioning

fingers curved over the keys

hands positioned on home row keys

hitting return key with little finger without looking

little finger of correct hand on shift key

using correct fingers on up and down reaches

View Finger Chart

Keyboard Position

keyboard pulled to edge of desk

sitting positioned centered at j key

Keep Health and Safety in mind and remember to take breaks. The ergonomics section of this site has more information.

Touch Typing - No Hunt and Peck!

Strive for this:

Not this:

Keyboard Covers

Cover the keyboard to encourage the student to look at the monitor or their work as they type. This can either be accomplished using a keyboard skin that covers the writing on the keyboard, or using a shroud above the hands to keep their eyes from looking at their fingers or the keys. Skins are available that cover the keys and still allow you to type - some people don't like the feel of them.

Sample of keyboard
skin cover

Homemade cardboard cover

As shown above, a piece of cardboard or paper can create a shroud over the keyboard - anything you can use to keep a student from looking at the keys. Some people put tape over the letters of an old keyboard.

To purchase a skin cover from Sunburst.com, click here and search for "speedskin" ($8.95 plus S&H).

Practical Suggestions

Before the age of 10, many children do not have the hand span or fine motor coordination to develop the touch typing that involves complete use of home row fingering. However, even young children can benefit from the development of good health habits and a knowledge of the location of the keys. Young students can learn to use two hands, to use the numeric keypad (like a calculator), and to learn some of the special keys (including the difference between the Caps Lock key and the Shift key).

Teach children to put only ONE space between words AND after periods and ending punctuation. We were all taught to put two spaces after ending punctuation; however, computers build in extra space for these marks. This is a VERY hard habit to break.

Make sure children use home row keys
when typing and not just when they
practice their keyboarding!!

Practice Ideas

Follow up home keyboard practice with practical applications. Have your child write:

letters

catalogue their collections

type their favorite recipes

write stories

find an interesting magazine article - type one paragraph per day from the article. Type some jokes or tongue twisters

type personal letters (especially repetitive thank-you notes for gifts).

type a grocery list that you can print out and use to check off items needed each week

type personal inventories: a list of all your baseball cards, a list of all your CD's, or a list of books read

lists of anything: brands of cars, places you'd like to visit, favorite musicians. . .

make a list of frequently called and emergency numbers to put by the phone.

type the words to a favorite song from the jacket of a CD or tape.

Model good keyboarding skills

If children see you sitting properly and take the time to pay attention to posture and positioning, the are more likely to work at it themselves.

Household Rewards - Some ideas for encouraging kids to learn keyboarding

praise, of course, plus. . .

a privilege otherwise reserved for special occasions

equal time for extra TV or video games

software or video game purchase

rent a movie or go to the theatre

exchange typing practice for required reading time if you already have a system of required reading

matching funds for a large purchase such as a computer or a car (e.g.., "When you reach 8 hours of practice, I will double your savings toward this purchase with a matching amount of money.")

whatever else works in your household

Additional Resources on Teaching and Learning Keyboarding

Suggestions for Learning Typing

Readiness - at what age should keyboarding begin? Bytes of Learning Website