Computer Touch Typing for Children
"The development of typing skill in school children is linked with improved learning in spelling, vocabulary, and written composition."
William E. Cooper,
Cognitive Aspects of Skilled Typewriting (1983)
“Keyboarding software packages should be carefully scrutinized to ascertain if they follow sound pedagogical, psychomotor principles. You would not sit a child down at a piano and use a software package to teach piano playing. Similarly, children are taught to play sports with a coach and much guided practice. The coach provides motivation, reinforcement, and corrective action. Students and parents should expect no less from keyboarding instruction.”
Margaret J. Erthal,
Who Should Teach Keyboarding and
When Should It Be Taught?
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Typing Pilots Goal:
To teach young children excellent touch-typing techniques.
BASIC PROGRAM REQUIRMENTS:
1. Internet connection NOT REQUIRED
2. Networked computers.
3. Printer, ink cartridges, floppy discs.
4. Access to copy machine.
5. Keyboarding software.
6. Computer technical support.
7. Variety of chairs to seat children with proper keyboarding posture.
As with learning to knit or play the piano, instruction of this complex motor task is initially taught one to one. Student's strengths are observed and assessed as the instructor guides him/her in the essential techniques that comprise the foundational skills of this activity.
The Typing Pilots program covers pre-typing skills, preparing the hands, posture, familiarizing students with language and terms used in keyboarding, computer room etiquette and program goals. Students are coached to look at the monitor, not at their hands as they type.
Children who learn keyboarding by this method have demonstrated superior skills in comparison to their peers who developed typing styles based on less rigorous training. In most cases, students will demonstrate proficiency by typing at least ten words per minute with 92% accuracy or better.
Page 4: Keyboarding For You
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