Keyboarding is as important of a skill now as it was a generation ago, even with the advent of touchscreens and voice-recognition technology.  Essays, research reports and State testing still require students to enter responses using a keyboard. Students learning to keyboard will find they can be more fluent in expressing thought, able to complete assignments more quickly, and build finger dexterity. While it can be a challenge to find time during the school day, teachers who invest two to three 10-minute keyboarding learning sessions for the next month or two, it will reap significant rewards when students need to type their final documents.

Quick Ideas:

• Check out iPad keyboards to use daily for two weeks to jumpstart learning, then reduce to twice a week
• Stop by the computer lab if there is an open time slot for students to spend 10 minutes online
• Encourage typing practice at home (requires computer unless students have their own iPad keyboard to use)

• Typing Tips: The How and Why of Teaching Students Keyboarding Skills
• Technology in the Classroom: Make Keyboarding Fun!