bee’s buzz

The 21st Century school needs to prepare learners for the 21st Century job market. I believe that most people, including students, develop their own methods and speed on the computer keyboard. Who is to say our children will even have to use the keyboard when they enter the workplace. However, it’s important to help students learn the basic letter and finger positions to get them going.

To this end I usually give them time on Tux Type – a free download with a range of activities for varying levels of competence. I have used this programme for about five years with very little success. The learners start out trying to use the correct fingers but it quickly degenerates into a “picking chicken” style using the two index fingers. Sigh…

I then heard about Dance Mat Typing which is an online typing tutorial for kids. It has an engaging interface and humorous audio commentary. I introduced the Grade 1’s to this program today thinking to myself, “Catch ‘em while they are young”. I can see it’s going to be an uphill battle but I intend to persevere for at least the rest of this term. The problem is that the children cannot understand why they should have to stretch fingers into uncomfortable positions when it’s much easier to use their two index fingers. Perhaps some of the learners will grow up to pick at the key keyboard like chickens but at least I will have tried to set them on the right path.

ICT integration is about more than keyboard skills of course. The keyboard is merely a tool for capturing data effectively for tasks that promote 21st Century skills like creative and critical thinking, collaboration, communication, self-direction and  cross-cultural understanding.

Filed under: About our school, teaching and learning | Tagged: keyboard TuxType Dance_Mat