How to Teach Kids the Keyboard in Computers
Computers are a ubiquitous element in today's world. With computers serving a perpetually increasing number of functions, children are being introduced to them at earlier ages then ever before. This can present quite the problem for computer teachers who find their classroom populated by pupils with vastly different degrees of computer experience. But a lesson every student needs to learn, regardless of the amount of previous experience that he or she has, is how to properly keyboard. Proper keyboarding techniques will be very useful to children as they age and computers continue to become more and more pervasive.
Instructions
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Discuss the history of the QWERTY keyboard. Explain Christopher Sholes invention of the typewriter.
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Demonstrate proper posture. One of the keys to keyboarding accurately is maintaining the appropriate posture and correct ergonomic form. Have students practice sitting up straight in their chairs with their feet flat on the floor and stress to them the importance of maintaining this posture while they perform their typing exercises.
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Identify key locations. Starting with the home row, explore where the keys are located and which fingers you should use to hit them in proper touch-typing technique.
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Practice proper technique. Drills are very important when learning to type. Using a program or worksheets focusing on one letter at a time, have students practice hitting the keys with the proper fingers. Continuous practice of proper touch-typing technique will create muscle memory.
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Expand to words. After mastering letters, students are ready to attempt full words. Have students practice typing lists of words or passages. While students practice, make sure that they are using the proper finger to hit each key and refraining from looking at the keyboard.
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Cover the keys. Once you can touch type, you should no longer need to look at the keyboard. To ensure that your students are not looking at the keyboard while they type, cover the keyboard. You can either purchase plastic or wooden boxes designed for this purpose, or you can utilize paper box lids with one of the long sides removed to function in the same manner.
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Develop speed. Speed of typing should become the central focus once proper touch-typing technique has been mastered. Using a speed measuring program or one of the plethora of Internet applications available, continue to work with students on improving their WPM (words per minute) rate.
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Tips & Warnings
Praise often. Learning to keyboard can be frustrating. To prevent ill feelings, lavish students with praise. Make them feel proud of even the smallest accomplishment.
Increase student interest in keyboarding by implementing games. Races, accuracy Olympics, and type-offs can all turn a boring day in computer class into an action-packed competition.
