generation that doesn't write in cursive we will we also have a generation
of kids who can't type properly or more than 20 wpm? When I taught
keyboarding years ago I would start in 2nd grade and the students were keen
about getting the right fingering and practiced it whenever their hands hit
the keyboard. I'd hate to throw that away because we couldn't find the time.
I am curious to hear others' observations.
-Ann
On Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM, Renee Ramig <rramig@sevenhillsschool.org>wrote:
> For schools out there that no longer teach technology (fully integrated),
> do you find the need for keyboarding?
>
> This is our third year of full integration. We use technology daily, but
> we don't teach technology. In K-1 they have 5 laptops in each class. In
> 2nd - 5th they have one full set of laptops in each grade (two students for
> one laptop). In middle school, there is about a 1.5 to 1 ratio. The
> laptops on shelves spread around the middle school that students use as
> needed.
>
> In 2nd and up, the students use the computers 3-4 times a week for a
> variety of things including math, research, writing, organizing and
> creating. In K-1, each student generally gets access 1-2 times a week
> during station time. We are using it mostly for language arts in K and math
> in 1st. In middle school, students use laptops almost daily for lots of
> different tasks.
>
> I use to teach keyboarding three days a week for the first six weeks of
> school in 4th and 5th grades. I have asked the 4th and 5th grade teachers
> to try and fit it in, but they have found it just too time consuming. They
> encourage the students to do keyboarding practice at home. Of course, the
> students that don't need to practice are the ones that do it. The ones that
> need it, never practice.
>
> At this point though, I am not sure there is the need for keyboarding
> instruction anymore. The middle school kids use the laptops almost
> everyday, and none of them seem hindered by their lack of keyboarding
> skills. Granted, I am not sure a single kid uses the standard 10 finger
> method of keyboarding, but they all seem to be at 20 wpm using their
> creative style of keyboarding. We haven't had a formal keyboarding program
> for three years now, and yet the middle school students seem more confident
> in their keyboarding abilities than they did four years ago.
>
> We are actually investigating the use of iPads in a pilot program next year
> in three grades (K, 4 and 8). This will totally change the way they type
> since it is a virtual keyboard. The students that have iPads seem to have
> no problem using a virtual keyboard. It is usually the teachers that have
> problems with it.
>
> With students using computers more and more at school and at home, and with
> the input method changing on some devices, should we be taking class time to
> teach keyboarding?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Renee Ramig
> Seven Hills School
>
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