As in the arrangement of a keyboard.
Keyboard or typing skills have become quite valuable for anyone to possess. So much is done today on a computer or even a phone that knowing how to type will make a person that much more efficient and employable. There are even some who would suggest typing skills are more important than practicing handwriting.
Last year, as part of the TOS Crew my son had the opportunity to try out an online phonics/typing instruction program. He benefited from the phonics component, but of greater benefit to him was the typing aspect. After completing the program he could type quickly and accurately with fingers on the proper keys...sort of - when he wanted to.
This was great for him, but I am not sure how much he has retained as he hasn't used the keyboard consistently for typing. He much prefers to play games on the computer.
I am not questioning the need to learn how to type as much as struggling with how much time to devote to this pursuit. I weigh it against all of the other more academic subjects I want my children to learn and know as well as the other "nice to know" things and somehow typing always ends up towards the bottom of the list.
What do you do in your homeschool? In the whole scheme of things where does typing/ keyboard practice fall?
The ABC's of Homeschooling is hosted by Dawn at 5Kids and a Dog.
I have a son who struggles a lot with getting words from his brain to paper. He can dictate me all kinds of things, but the actual physical writing process is agony for him. He does better when using a keyboard, and started a typing program a couple of years ago. We got new computers and our old program doesn't work with Windows 7, so now we're looking for a new program.
ReplyDeleteOne thing to keep in mind is that when high school age kids do any kind of report, generally it's expected to be typed. When they get to college, EVERYTHING is typed. Typing is faster, therefore more efficient too. It is a needed life skill, in my opinion.