Keyboarding First -- Why, Cost, and Time

Myth/Reality

Why teach "touch-control" keyboarding?

Myth	Reality
"Hunting and pecking" will not hurt students.	"Hunting and pecking" teaches bad habits which may never be broken. "Touch-control" basics are key to keyboarding just as they are to music, sports, reading, math and cursive writing.
How students input (process) does not matter as long as the printout (product) looks good.	Learning an effective input method (process) should proceed word-processing of classroom assignments (product).
Voice activated computers will replace the need for keyboarding.	Computers with voice activated software will still require a keyboard. "Touch-control" keyboarding is a lifelong, beneficial skill.

What time is needed for Keyboarding First?

Myth	Reality
K-2 students are too young to learn "touch-control" keyboarding.	Keyboarding First provides K-2 students with developmentally-appropriate materials to learn "touch-control" keyboarding.
Keyboarding takes too much time.	Keyboarding First is a three-year, 30-hour program. Kindergarten - 5 hours 1st grade - 10 hours 2nd grade - 15 hours
Keyboarding would be an add-on for K-2 with an already busy curriculum.	Keyboarding First lessons complement the primary curriculum. CURRICULUM*
Keyboarding can be taught sporadically. "Hunting and pecking" can be allowed when not in keyboarding class.	Keyboarding First is most effective when taught in a structured, consistent and sequential program. Structured: Every week 2-5 times Consistent: Every student Sequential: Every time students are on the computer reinforce basic skills

Why is Keyboarding First cost effective?

Myth	Reality
A keyboarding software package is necessary to teach keyboarding.	Keyboarding First uses any word-processing software open screen to teach keyboarding.
Keyboarding software packages are more effective to teach keyboarding than a book.	Keyboarding First encourages students to keep their eyes on the book and stresses fundamentals. Software packages encourage students to watch the screen and work for speed and accuracy before the fundamentals are learned.
Keyboarding software packages are the only materials available to teach keyboarding at the K-2 level.	Keyboarding First is written for any beginning keyboarding student. The curriculum connected materials are developmentally appropriate for K-2.
Software games with sounds and graphics help students learn keyboarding.	The game format distracts students from basic keyboarding objectives.
Keyboarding software packages are cost effective to teach keyboarding.	Keyboarding First is cost effective because it sets a strong keyboarding foundation before bad habits develop.
A licensed Business Education teacher is required to teach keyboarding.	Keyboarding First is easy to use for any instructor. FAQ
Teachers will need extra hours of training to teach keyboarding.	Keyboarding First includes the materials needed to teach keyboarding. RESOURCES*

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2005 ©: Mary Larson and Marjorie Reichardt. All Rights Reserved.