cannot use "correct" fingering on smaller virtual keyboards. Even if we =
start keyboarding in 3rd grade, most students already have a keyboarding =
style because they have been using a computer since kindergarten or =
before. I read a study a few months ago that found that those who use =
"creative" fingering are much faster on alternative devices (cell =
phones, tablets, etc.) because they seem better able to move over their =
technique to the alternative devices. The average speed of those in the =
study that used traditional fingering at least 90% of the time was 42 =
wpm compared to 38 wpm for the non-traditional typists. However, on =
cell phones (texting) and virtual keyboards, the creative typists were =
more than twice as fast as those that use traditional fingering. (I =
can't find the study when I searched just now, so I don't remember the =
speed on the cell phone and tablets. I think there was about 200 people =
in the study. They were college students.)
Also, as more and more schools move away from teaching technology and =
move to using technology ubiquitously throughout the day, will classroom =
teachers be open to giving up time for keyboarding? From my experience, =
keyboarding instruction is most successful offered frequently (at least =
three times a week) for short periods of time (10-20 minutes at a time). =
If they are willing to spend the time, is it the best use of class =
time? =20
If students in 3rd - 5th grade are able to use computers 2-3 times a =
week to type up their written work, would this be as helpful in =
increasing speed and accuracy? I think the trend I am seeing at my =
school is happening because the students are using computers so =
frequently to type up work. Fourth and fifth grade use the computers =
about four hours a week, and a lot of that is typing up their work. =
Middle school requires almost all work (classwork and homework) to be =
word processed. =20
Renee
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