Keyboarding

Introduction

In today's world, all students must be proficient with computers. Keyboarding is a fundamental skill to develop this proficiency. Keyboarding is essential as a learning and communication tool as students are prepared for the technological world. This can be applied across the curriculum in a variety of ways. But to foster this communication and learning, students must develop good keyboarding skills.

Guidelines

(this will be revised for 2006/07)

* Minimum of 10 minutes per week in grades 2-5. (more would be great!)

Sixth grade receives keyboarding practice in 9 week computer class.

Kindergarten and 1st grade can still work on identifying parts of the keyboard

and computer and 'keying' in words and sentences in a word processor.

* Use school keyboarding software or website for lessons and activities.

* Once formal lessons have been completed, weekly review is necessary in order

to reinforce and maintain the skill. This includes the correct posture and

keyboarding technique.

* 'Games' should only be done after formal lessons have been completed.

* The 'technique' of keyboarding should be reinforced across the curriculum.

(Not just when students are working on keyboarding in the lab....same goes

for the classroom!)

* Teachers should be constantly circulating when the students are keyboarding to

monitor technique, to offer suggestions for improvement, and to give words

of encouragement and praise.

* Technique should be stressed as the most important element, then accuracy, and

finally speed.

* Formal grading is not necessary. Just fill out the Home/School connection sheet at the

end of every semester and indicate how they are doing. Certificates, coupons, etc.

could be handed out if students complete a lesson or are proficient in a specific area.

Progress

It is hopeful that successful keyboarding will lead to the following:

* Improvement in Language Arts- Reading, Spelling, and Writing ability.

* Improvement in efficiency in using the computer as a writing, editing, and computing

tool, thereby maximizing classroom time.

* Improvement in attitude toward writing- less frustration in looking for keys rather

than entering information.

* Improve in proper keyboarding techniques and posture and continue the 'good habits'.

* Improving keyboarding with all subject areas.

* Prepare students for a technological society.