Teaching Keyboarding

[Michelle Renner]

Hi!  I am a new tech teacher for grades k-4.  I see each class 4 times a week for 30 minute periods.  Most of the time the students use Success Maker software while in the lab, but I am wanting to start teaching keyboarding to the students.  I need advice from veteran tech teachers on how to implement keyboarding.  Some of my questions include at what age to begin keyboarding, how do you introduce keyboarding, what are some free/internet based tools for teaching keyboarding, and how do you assess keyboarding skills.  Any and all ideas are welcome because I am really not sure where to start.  Thanks in advance for your help!

[Teri Pope]

Hi Michelle,

Here's a great idea for teaching keyboarding: http://elementarytechteachers.ning.com/forum/topics/keyboarding-pun...

If you search the site, you'll find several threads with good sites. 

My district uses SuccessMaker as well. Last year they were so strict about 3-5 using the program 2x a week that my students began to hate coming into the lab. This year it's not required so I have pretty much ignored it and we've moved on to activities that the students enjoy much more. How do your students react to SuccessMaker?

[Michelle Renner]

My district is even worse about forcing the use of Success Maker during Computer Lab--and yes the students are sick and tired of it.  I was told that we need to be doing Success Maker the majority of the time in the lab because the district spent lots of money to upgrade the program this year.  I am trying to talk the powers that be into allowing me to do some other things in lab.  I have gotten permission to introduce some keyboarding.  The lab was taught by a para before who did not have a teaching certificate so they wanted to make sure the para was just supervising students and not really teaching.  My feeling is that now that there is a certified teacher in the lab, I should be given the freedom to do some other things.  The really sad part is we have an awesome lab with great equipment that is being under utilized.  We could be doing so many other things that are more valuable than Success Maker.  One thing that has helped "motivate" the students more for Success Maker is that I implemented a reward system based on their scores and they can earn a small reward for scoring at a certain percentage.  I think this helps a bit with motivation, but they are still bored with doing the same thing every day.  Anyhow--thanks for the link to keyboarding ideas.  I'm excited to explore some new activities in the lab!

[Jacqui Murray]

My keyboarding approach is pretty involved, but uses all free programs (though you can use software like TTL also). Basically, I intro it to K-2. For 3-5, we spend a month on each of the rows until students have memorized them (assessed by a series of fun processes). By the end of the year, the students that follow through do pretty well. 

[Sheila Connelly]

I do pre-keyboarding in K-1 and formal keyboarding instruction starting in 2nd grade. I use the Herzog method. There is no software. We do the lessons in Windows Notepad which has worked out well since I set the font and students usually will not change it. I do use Type to Learn 4 software to reinforce the keyboarding skills in grades 3-5.

http://www.herzogkeyboarding.com/