KEYBOARDING

During the first six-weeks, students will practice non-graded drill work through computerized keyboarding programs and aids to help them learn how to keyboard by touch and improve their speed and accuracy. All students will receive either a Pass or Fail (P or F) grade the first grading period -- no letter grades will be given. This Pass or Fail mark will be determined by teacher observation of the student's ability to touch type, testing, student progress, and the amount of time spent on drill work.

To assist in the learning of keyboarding by touch, the Typetronics Keyboard System is used. This illuminating keyboard (which is 4 feet by 2 feet) is mounted to the wall in the front of the classroom. Two speakers provide audio output. Typetronics allows the student to master the keyboard by touch at a rate of twelve to twenty words per minute in ten hours or less. The illuminating keyboard gently increases speed as it systematically paces the students to rapid achievement. The students see the lighted key, hear the key announced and then strike the key on a pacing tone. This multi-sensory approach helps the students learn much faster and retain what they learn longer.

Once students have a basic keyboarding skill, they use the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software program to improve their speed and accuracy.