HIT: Keyboarding software for Elementary School

[Suby Wallace <swallace@NIC.CRSC.K12.AR.US>]

Here are the responses to my question regarding keyboarding in the
elementary school.  Several people asked me to post a hit.  I hope these
help some of you, and I also hope I included all the replies sent to me!
Have a good summer, and THANKS to all who helped me!!

I am a little behind on my reading so you probably already got this
>title for keyboarding but I will add my opinion anyway.  We are using
>UltraKey in a networked lab, actually two labs.  It is just the ticket
>for the age level you need it for.  Good luck.
>Rita Hughes    <hughes@tir.com>

I'm at a middle school.  We use Type to Learn and love it.
>Nancy Bentley
>LMS/CIT
>Mann Middle School
>Colorado Springs, CO
>nbent@clsp.uswest.net

>Our district decided on PAWS for grades 3-5.
>wwhosoever@juno.com
>Carol Hambrecht, Media Specialist
>Chapel Hill Elementary School
>North Kansas City School District, Missouri


WE PROMOTE THE TEACHER DIRECTED APPROACH TO KEYBOARDING
>INSTRUCTION IN VIRGINIA.  THAT MEANS THAT WE MAY USE
>KEYBOARDING GRADE APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE, BUT WE GO TO THE
>MINI WORD PROCESSOR OR OPEN SCREEN FEATURE AND TEACH THE
>INITIAL KEY INSTRUCTION WITH A BOOK AND TEACHER DICTATION
>AND GUIDANCE.  THE SOFTWARE CAN THEN BE USED FOR
>SUPPLEMENTARY DRILLS, ETC.
>
>THEREFORE, WE PREFER SOFTWARE THAT A BOOK CORRELATED TO
>THE INTRODUCTION OF THE KEYS.  AT LOWER GRADE LEVELS WE
>PREFER "PAWS" A PRODUCT OF SRA (SO. WESTERN/ITP PUBLISHING
>USED TO DISTRIBUTE THIS SOFTWARE/BOOK).   AT MIDDLE SCHOOL
>WE PREFER PRODUCTS THAT ARE GRADE APPROPRIATE FROM SOUTH
>WESTERN PUBLISHING, GLENCOE, AND EMC PUBLISHERS.  THOSE
>PRODUCTS FOLLOW SOUND KEYBOARDING INSTRUCTIONAL
>PRINCIPLES.  I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE GOOD, BUT WE
>HAVE SEEN A LOT OF BAD SOFTWARE OUT THERE THAT LOOKS
>GOOD BECAUSE OF THE "BELLS AND WHISTLES."  OUR CONCERN
>WITH ALL OF THE SOFTWARE WHEN USED IN ISOLATION IS THAT IT
>STOPS A STUDENT WHEN THEY MAKE A MISTAKE--THIS DETERS THE
>STUDENT FROM GAINING A FLUID MOTION WHEN STRIKING THE KEYS
>WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IN BUILDING A TOUCH KEYBOARDING SKILL.
> At what grade do you start teaching keyboarding?  WE PREFER NO
>EARLIER THAN 3RD GRADE BECAUSE OF SIZE OF HANDS AND
>HAND/EYE COORDINATION.  OUR SUCCESS STORIES TEND TO COME
>FROM 5TH AND 6TH GRADE LEVELS WHEN STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT
>USING GOOD INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY.
>
>WE OFFER 3 TRAINING WORKSHOPS A YEAR FOR TEACHERS OF
>KEYBOARDING TO GIVE THEM THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD
>KEYBOARDING INSTRUCTION AND THE TEACHER-DIRECTED
>APPROACH.   WE ALSO HAVE A SIMULATION OF THAT WORKSHOP ON
>TAPE.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THAT SERIES,
>CONTACT ROBERT TRAYLOR AT 804/225-2980.   LET ME KNOW IF YOU
>WANT THE MATERIALS THAT ACCOMPANY THE SERIES--THAT PACKET
>ALSO CONTAINS OUR "POSITION PAPER" ON KEYBOARDING THAT
>EXPLAINS OUR GUIDELINES.
>
>IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ANNE
>ROWE, Virginia Department of Education, AT 804/225-2838 OR
>arowe@pen.k12.va.us.
>

Type to Learn , the NEW one from Sunburst is very good. It can be personalized
>, it is graphic and interesting and it provides good practice. The students
>can if you wish, print out the speed, accuracy and a profile of the lessons.
>I have used Mario, the original type to learn  which is so boring that I
>purchased the Sunburst new ones out of my own pocket. I have one other
>interesting one. Jumpstart Typing but I only had one copy. The children liked
>that one a lot too.
        >Bonnie Bracey   <BBracey@aol.com>
        >Technology Teacher in Residence        Randolph Elementary School
        >Arlington, Va

Dale Copps <dcopps@together.net>
>Suby:
>I like UltraKey. You'll find them at:
        >http://www.bytesoflearning.com/
>Good luck.  Dale


Our district decided on PAWS for grades 3-5.
>wwhosoever@juno.com
>Carol Hambrecht, Media Specialist
>Chapel Hill Elementary School
>North Kansas City School District, Missouri



Suby Wallace, Librarian/Media Specialist
Nettleton Intermediate Center                 (5-6 grades)
3801 Vera
Jonesboro, AR   72401

swallace@nic.crsc.k12.ar.us      870-910-7809      fax:  870-910-7811

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