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Insider Tips for Teaching Typing
Teaching typing can be a productive and enjoyable experience. However, do your homework first to assure yourself that all computers work as intended. A checklist is presented for guidance.
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Insider Tips for Teaching Typing
Before conducting a class for students who will be using the computer, sit in front of each computer and actually use (boot up) the program so that you obtain first-hand experience in identifying potential problems. Replace keyboards that don't have a "feel" when you press a key. Touch typing skills are facilitated by using keys that provide a feedback (a click) when struck.
Others may tell you this "try everything before you use it approach" is not necessary. Nonsense! Computer labs are often run by technical people who are focused on technical problems, not teaching problems.
These are the same people who can be found drooling over centerfold pictures of new, more powerful computer processors. They are very apt to leave extension cords where others can trip over them or to have a broken computer that has not been repaired for months. Yet mundane teaching problems determine the success or failure of a class.
Teacher’s Keyboarding Checklist
Before conducting a typing class, personally check out each unit. Start up the typing program so that you obtain first-hand experience in identifying potential problems. Touch typing skills are facilitated by using keys that provide a feedback (a click) when struck. Replace keyboards that don't have a "feel" when you press a key.
After you execute the program to assure everything functions as intended, take a look at the work area:
· Are the work areas and monitors clean?
· Is there room for students to store their books and note books?
· Where do they place their backpacks?
· Are the chairs comfortable, sturdy?
· Are the chairs adjusted to the correct height?
· Are extension cords out of the way or at least covered up so they will not trip people?
· Is glare minimized? If not, adjust the monitor to minimize reflections.
· Is it easy to turn on the computer and monitor?
· Just where did they hide each on/off switch?
More Insider Tips
Keyboarding is an excellent way to introduce students to computer literacy and to improve an adult's ability to interact with the computer. It is easier for people to learn word processing and how to operate a computer program if they can type. Here are a few more insider tips that are often overlooked!
Does the program start properly? Of course you will have personally typed many of the exercises before instructing others in the use of the program. However, there can be "last minute" hang-ups that occur when the friendly computer hacks make changes to the computers.
Will you be able to walk to each computer to answer individual student questions and to assure that sound skills are being followed (posture; eyes on screen, feet flat on floor, etc.)? Or will you have to jump across desks and have six kids move out of the way to be able to talk to the person at the end of the row?
Check with the lab technician to find out how the computers will actually access software. For administrative purposes, it is easier to assign a learner to a particular computer, and ask that person to constantly use the same computer. However, the lab people might want to have a central file server store the main program, which should not be a problem, provided you try out the program before using it in a teaching environment.
Even if the program is loaded into a network environment where each computer can access the software, permanently assigning a learner to a particular computer prevents a lot of wandering around and confusion when starting a class.
Ask the students to show you their report card weekly to assure that they are staying on track. Classes are best when limited to a 45- or 50-minute class period so that students don't become tired, and they are more likely to concentrate on using the correct finger to strike a key. Stress that students need to concentrate in order to learn touch typing skills.
However, avoid "over-working" beginners. Many learners, particularly beginning computer users, become very tense when using the computers. Why not "reduce the tensions" so that learning can occur? Halfway through the period ask students to access a website that has extensive exercises to improve coordination and release stress. Of course, the advantage of learning in a private environment is to access the website whenever you feel like it.
Finger coordination exercises and stress reducing exercises will help reduce tension, and the students often produce a smile. A smile and pleasant environment can help make learning fun.
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