Hello all,
 
I am cross posting part of a discussion that has appeared on the Technology  
Discussion List.  Does anyone have any information that can share with us  on 
the use of keyboarding for students with Learning Disabilities in  writing?
 
Rochelle
 
 
 
Rochelle Kenyon
Moderator, LINCS Learning Disabilities Discussion  List
Center for Literacy Studies at the University of Tennessee_ 
RKenyon721 at aol.com_ (mailto:RKenyon721 at aol.com)  

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Hi Mariann:

There is research that suggests that using  a keyboard does not actually help 
struggling/LD writers. The problem is a  working memory problem. They are so 
focused on the individual letters and the  sound-symbol relationship that it 
uses all the short term memory resources,  therefore limiting their ability to 
write more complex sentences. So, the  keyboard would not help that situation 
until they attain more automaticity with  their spelling and transcription 
skills, which is a product of direct, explicit,  sequential, multisensory 
phonemic awareness. To learn more, you might want to  check out anything written by 
Charles MacArthur, this is his specialty and I  believe he is at the University 
of Maryland. 

Hope this  helps,
Kelli

Kelli Sandman-Hurley, M.S.
Literacy Tutor/Learner  Coordinator
READ/San Diego
619-527-5480
_ksandmanhurley at sandiego.gov_ (mailto:ksandmanhurley at sandiego.gov) 




Hi Barbara,

Your question, "...could learning touch  typing enhance literacy for ESL or 
LD or adult literacy students? Would the  characteristic automaticity of the 
skill contribute to reading and language  mastery?" 

In terms of student with LD...I now there are others on this  list that are 
more expert then I am in terms of working with adult students with  LD, so I 
hope you all weigh in. My own experience and understanding is that  keyboarding 
is not necessarily a way to remediate a learning disability, but  rather would 
be an accommodation that might allow someone with a learning  disability to 
engage more readily in the writing process and to demonstrate  writing ability. 
I know that wasn't your question, and I am also interested in  knowing if 
there is an auto-catalytic effect. That is, if an adult student with  a learning 
disability is provided with an accommodation like access to a  keyboard for 
writing assignments and then provided direct instruction  on
keyboarding will that then serve to increase the overall acquisition of  
literacy skills? 

Look forward to hearing from  others,

Mariann

Mariann Fedele, Associate  Director
NYC Regional Adult Education Network
Literacy Assistance  Center

Moderator,
NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List
32  Broadway 10th Floor
New York, New York  10004
212-803-3325
mariannf at lacnyc.org 
www.lacnyc.org  



Hello group,

It would be helpful to  hear how computer keyboarding is being taught around 
the country, and who is  teaching it?  I come from a background in 
occupational therapy and have  taught touch typing to hundreds of students from 1st - 6th 
grades. Based on what  I've learned, teaching young students at the second or 
third grade level is very  practical. 

At that age, children have not become habitual "hunt and  peck"  typists. 
Because they are still learning to read and spell they can  benefit from using 
touch typing skills to practice word lists and compose short  writing 
assignments.
 
I see older students enter computer classes having already  developed typing 
skills that are inefficient and hard to remediate.  Lack  of good habits and 
slower input make a big difference when students are required  to produce 
longer papers in high school, and afterward as they compete in the  workplace.

Another question about teaching/learning touch typing: how  might it 
contribute to ESL students at any age, or adults with LD and people in  adult literacy 
classes? 

I have been reading these emails for months but never  contributed to the 
discussion.
 
Thank you for the opportunity.

Barbara Oliver,  COTA/L
Tulsa OK


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