Keyboarding InstructionBy: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated May 28, 2024 Teaching keyboarding skills is crucial for students with visual impairments, as it equips them with the ability to access information and communicate effectively using computers. If a student can’t produce handwriting that is legible to themselves or others or they experiences visual fatigue during writing activities, it is important to instruct the student in keyboarding skills. Teaching keyboarding instruction skills will also minimize the need for a student to shift their gaze when copying information or taking notes. The following are the key points and strategies for teaching keyboarding skills:
By implementing these strategies and providing comprehensive instruction, students with visual impairments can develop essential keyboarding skills that will serve them well in accessing information, communicating effectively, and navigating digital environments. Developing keyboarding skills provides students with lifelong skills. Keyboarding ResourcesTalking Typer for Windows This typing training software, available from APH, is a computer keyboarding and typing training program that speaks and displays lessons on screen. It includes drills, practice, and typing games and is adjustable to the student's level of skill and sight impairment.
This is a personal favorite of mine as it provides data on the student's accuracy and words per minute following each lesson. The lessons that come programmed into the program can be slightly monotonous and boring for students, but it is possible to develop individualized lessons. You can create lessons related to the current topic or the student's interest, and at the student's reading level. If you need support using the Talking Typer program, you can refer to the online User Manual. typio is a fully-accessible typing tutor from Accessbyte which guides student progress through learning the keyboard. It includes a set of 45 keyboarding lessons that are customizable and automatically keeps detailed records for each student.
Dance Mat Typing is a free online program available from the BBC. It is most appropriate for younger students and those with enough usable vision to see the smaller font sizes. There are four levels to play, each divided into three stages. The student will start by learning the home row keys. Each stage builds on previous lessons, introducing new letters as the student progresses. At the end of each level, the student can test their typing speed and get a fun reward. The print size can be enlarged by using the CTRL and +, but if the student requires a significant amount of enlargement, the viewable area will be decreased.
Learn Keys: Verbal Keyboard Feedback
This PC keyboard exploration and announcement program, available from APH, gives you human speech feedback. This program works with several versions of Windows and with a variety of keyboard types. When practicing typing, it is important for the student to not look at the keyboard. You can cover the keyboard with a sleeve. Another option is to purchase SpeedSKIN keyboard covers that fit over the keyboard and are designed specifically for keyboarding instruction.
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