Rochelle,
Skilsbank has a writing program called The Right Stuff.  We use this program in our computer lab at our correctional facility.  The focus is keyboarding skills in a fun way.  The student is motivated to play educational games but there are also other writing programs on the network.
Keturah
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: RKenyon721 at aol.com 
  To: learningdisabilities at nifl.gov 
  Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 8:10 PM
  Subject: [LearningDisabilities 800] Re: Keyboarding and Literacy -- CrossPosted from Technology Discussion List


  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 
   
  To post a message: Learningdisabilities at nifl.gov 
   
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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



   
  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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