Keyboarding Overview

The keyboard remains the primary device for inputting data into computers.  Studies show that gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, word study skills, and spelling skills often result when proper keyboarding skills are learned and used.

With laptops and tablets increasing both at home and school, many students in grades K-12 are being exposed to a computer keyboard without proper instruction or knowledge of how to type correctly. Texting with thumbs or both first fingers is not keyboarding.

The fastest speed that an adult can write is 12 words per minute (wpm).  After lesson 10, many students will be able to type at least 20 to 25 words per minute with good accuracy provided that proper keyboarding techniques have been practiced in each lesson.  Accuracy first - speed second.

Reading text for the purpose of finding and correcting errors is called proofreading.  Students who choose correct finger techniques and who also choose not to look at the keys, proofread as they type.  Correctly typed and incorrectly typed characters are immediately felt at the keyboard and finger tips.  Such mental concentration reduces the amount of time spent in actual proofreading.

The alternative to touch keyboarding is the hunt-and-peck method, which really is not typing at all. Students who choose to look at their keys develop random and incorrect finger patterns.  Creative ideas are lost as the hunt-and-peck typist must be constantly searching for the letter location.  Bad habits and multiple typing errors associated with the hunt-and-peck method become ingrained, making it impossible for students to develop competency in touch-typing.

Texting on mobile devices can create the hunt-and-peck method if proper keyboarding skills are not also learned.  Both texting and keyboarding skills can be learned and used with the proper application.

Readability level is important for each lesson when learning to type.  The online keyboarding lessons average 90.9 on the Flesch Reading Ease Scale, meaning that each lesson is easy to read.  Focus is placed primarily on learning keyboarding skills, rather than reading skills.

Reading skills will certainly improve as students learn to read and follow written instructions.  The Flesch-Kincaid Readability Level for each keyboarding lesson indicates a reading level of grade 3.9.

The objective of keyboarding is very simple:  Learn to type without looking at the keys while using the correct finger for each key.

Touch-typing is a life-time skill that will never be forgotten when learned correctly.