Classroom Technologies

Keyboarding Skills
Last week, I had poetry on my mind.  This week, I have keyboarding on the brain.  Decent keyboarding skills are needed in today's high-tech world in which we live.  Teaching correct keyboarding skills to students can't start too early.  Just as our students need to know how to read fluently, how to add and subtract, and how to write legibly, our students also need to know how to type fluently.

Our school has recently been blessed with a computer lab that contains 30 computers, a teacher work station, and a Smart board.  My class has the opportunity to visit the lab 3 times a week.  During this time, the students have access to educational software or they can access educational games on the Internet.  My students, who need intervention in math and/or reading, have access to a program called Success Maker.  This program targets their weak areas in these subjects.  Recently, our principal mentioned the need for our students to develop correct keyboarding skills.  She expressed her desire for the students to practice keyboarding skills on one of the days that we visit the lab.  So, we began to research and look for free websites that the students could manipulate.  We found some free sites that the children enjoy and are learning from while having fun at the same time.

On my search for resources that would aid me in teaching my first graders good typing habits early on, I found an app for the iPad that I like.  I also found some websites on the blog, Free Technology for Teachers, that my students can manipulate on netbooks, and I located a YouTube video that highlights a popular, educational keyboarding software called Typing Instructor.  Through manipulating these resources in the computer lab and in our classroom during center rotations, the students' keyboarding skills should improve so that they feel comfortable using word processing software to express their thoughts. 

Google Reader Resource

While reading the blog, Free Technology for Teachers, I found a post titled, "10 Free Typing Practice Activities for Students."  I almost squealed when I clicked on the links for these games because they are perfect for my first graders!  My students can manipulate these games while in the computer lab in addition to the others that they are currently using.  My students can also learn from these games while participating in the computer center that is in our classroom.  In addition to a classroom computer center, I also have iPads that the students can manipulate during center rotations and as enrichment when they have completed their assignments.  These games provide the students with an entertaining, rewarding way in which to learn. 

This link will take you to this particular blog post where all ten websites are listed:  Keyboarding Activities

Below are 2 of the websites that have me excited:

• Typing Rocket - This game is perfect for young fingers!  The objective is for the students to burst the fireworks by typing the letter on the firework before it disappears from the screen.  As the students get better, the game progressively gets harder.           
• Power Typing- This site provides the students with 5 fun games that can enhance their typing skills.          

References
R Byrne. (2013, April 7). 10 free typing practice activities for students [Web log post]. Retrieved
          fromhttp://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/04/10-free-typing-practice-activities-

Typing lesson (2010). In Power Typing. Retrieved from http://www.powertyping.com/

Typing rocket (2012). In ABCYa.com. Retrieved from http://www.abcya.com/typing_rocket.htm

Web Resources

YouTube Video (Typing Instructor)
This YouTube video highlights the software, Typing Instructor.  The software is aimed at teaching students how to type correctly.  The software can be purchased for use in a computer lab, classroom, or most any other educational setting.  This video is very informative and explains all of the interactive features of the software.  It portrays the software as an adventure that the students participate in as they learn keyboarding skills.  As they venture through the game, the students learn all of the major components to keyboarding correctly and quickly.  The software begins with teaching the students proper posture and hand placement; therefore, this software is perfect for young students.  The software progressively gets more difficult as the students progress through the software.  It's perfect for all ages.

Reference:
Typing instructor for kids platinum 5 (2011, November 21). In YouTube. Retrieved from
             http://youtu.be/ShxTUnNY9xg


iPad app (Typing Class Game)
My students love to play apps on the iPad.  One of the centers in my classroom includes 3 iPads.  This center and the computer center are favorites of the students.  My students love technology and they are not afraid to dive into something new (unlike their teacher).  I try to add educational apps on the iPads that reinforce our curriculum.  This app, Typing Class Game, further reinforces keyboarding skills.  This app has 4 fun, engaging games that instruct players to type accurately and quickly.  Check out this game's features at iPad App: Typing Class Game.

Reference:
iPad app: Typing class game (2010, October 25). In Free online typing games. Retrieved from
               http://freeonlinetypinggames.com/typing-resources/typing-class-ipad-typing-app/