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Computers play an increasingly important role...
...in schools, businesses, and homes.
For many children, the development of typing skills is often linked with improved language arts skills, including improved spelling and vocabulary in written composition (thanks to modern word processors).
One crucial aspect of using computers which is often overlooked
in standard instruction is keyboarding (fluent touch typing without looking at the keys).
When it is taught, it is taught not so much for mastery, but to introduce it. Often, children with ADD/ADHD or Lerarning Disabilities don’t become proficient enough to be able to use keyboarding efficiently.
But when they DO master keyboarding, they can use an Alphasmart, laptop, or classroom computer for (longer) written assignments instead of paper and pencil.
We often see dramatic increases in both the quantity and quality of children’s written work when they use keyboarding skills on a computer.
The keyboarding instruction program at Keys To Learning...
...takes the learning needs of ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabled youngsters into account, drawing on the knowledge and skills our founder gained during years of working as a fully credentialed Resource Specialist Program teacher.
... begins with the fingers that are easiest for young children to control.
...teaches the movements necessary for typing each letter using easy to follow graphics and multisensory instruciton.
...uses games to provide additional practice, and each game is designed to focus on one particular element that goes into successful mastery of typing skills. The use of these games is carefully “prescribed” by the instructor according to the performance of each student.
...provides more practice on elements students need practice with, and students are not simply “passed along” from one lesson to the next without mastering the skills (as is true with a number of typing programs). We provide extra review if needed, and give lots of feedback and praise.
...lets children earn prizes for their hard work!
One-to-one tutorial program
Although we use a computer, children’s work is carefully monitored in a one-to-one tutorial program, a keystroke at a time, to maximize the student’s success.
Using careful observation and the structuring and re-structuring of instruction when necessary we make sure the child does NOT “practice a mistake.”
And we give LOTS of positive reinforcement during each lesson!
We work with children who are eight or more years of age.
Experience has taught us there is tremendous variation in how quickly (or slowly) different children master the material. We generally ask parents to commit to 30 or 40, 50-minute sessions, with the understanding that if we finish earlier we’ll stop and if we don’t finish we will extend the instruction until the child has mastered what he/she needs to in order to actually use a simple word processing program. |
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