Barbara,

I have taught elementary school for 8 years, and we have what you might call a "keyboarding program" at the elementary level. I have to agree that learning keyboarding at an early age can make a huge difference, which is why we encourage our students to learn keyboarding skills. Our main way of teaching at this level is the computer program Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing from Broderbund. Our students follow the lessons and learn at their own pace. As a reward for completeing several lessons the software offers a typing game. This is an added incentive to complete more lessons. The one rule I have had to enforce with this software is that they do not go straight to the games. They have to earn access to the games. Find out more: http://www.broderbund.com/jump.jsp?itemID=4815&itemType=CATEGORY  

To be honest with you I used the same program to learn correct keyboarding technique as an adult. I never learned in school and had to learn as an adult. I hope this helps.

Craig Alinder
Albuquerque, NM
http://www.refinancequiz.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: barbarasg8 at aol.com 
  To: technology at nifl.gov 
  Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 9:19 AM
  Subject: [Technology 760] Re: Technology List topic: Keyboarding


  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 and 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 remediable. Lack of good habits and slower input make a big difference when students are required to produce longer papers in high school, and afterword 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
  barbarasg8 at aol.com


   
  -----Original Message-----
  From: cgrimaldi at lagcc.cuny.edu
  To: technology at nifl.gov
  Sent: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 2:09 PM
  Subject: [Technology 752] Re: Technology List topics for 2007


Hi Mariann,
I would also like to learn more about teaching our students make better
use of their cell phones.  Most students have them but many don't know
how to use their voicemail, pictures, downloading, etc., especially
older students.

The next topic I'd like to see discussed more is the issue of slow
computer learners- either due to lack of experience, age, low literacy
skills, lack of interest/need, no computer in the home.  

Carolyn Grimaldi
Center for Immigrant Education and Training
LaGuardia Community College
29-10 Thomson Ave. C250
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 482-5067
www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ciet/
cgrimaldi at lagcc.cuny.edu


>>> "Mariann Fedele" <MariannF at lacnyc.org> 12/13/06 2:48 PM >>>

Thank You, David!
What would others on the list like to see in terms of specific topics
discussed next year? If one that David mentioned is particularly
interesting to you please feel free to second the motion.

Regards,
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 


-----Original Message-----
From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]

On Behalf Of David Rosen
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 11:30 AM
To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [Technology 749] Technology List topics for 2007

Hi Mariann,

I would like to see the Technology list introduce our field to some  
technologies in the context of their use/possible use in adult ed.   
These might include, for example:

1) mobile phones
2) web-accessible PDAs
3) tablet PCs
4) e-books and e-book readers
5) wikis for writing projects
6) electronic white boards
7) inexpensive (under $500) multimedia (e.g. LCD) projectors
8) video Ipods with high quality video goggles (intended for video  
but maybe useful for reading text?)

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net 



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----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Technology and Literacy mailing list
Technology at nifl.gov 
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology
----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
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Technology at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to 
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology

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