Dear Otto is an occasional column where I answer questions I get from readers about teaching tech. If you have a question, please complete the form below and I’ll answer it here. For your privacy, I use only first names.
Mr. Holloway in Odessa wanted to know if there were lessons for teaching keyboarding to adults
Teaching keyboarding to adults is similar to teaching kids. They still need to learn correct posture, hand position, use of all fingers, touch typing–they just get it faster and take it more seriously. The game-like approach prevalent in teaching children isn’t necessary.
I have a wiki I use for a summer keyboarding class that starts at the beginning of keyboarding and proceeds through to mastery. You might find the progression of skills and the mix of activities useful.
Here are a list of websites that should serve well with adult students:
- Online keyboarding–this page is from Nimble Fingers. It’s great for adults, done online, and instructive
- Typing Lessons– A progressive and thorough approach designed for high schoolers–and great for adults
- Flash Cards–scroll down to ‘flash cards’ and have students type the words they see. This is challenging and important for adults to accomplish
- Typing Test–a great way to track improvements in typing speed. No log-in required
Any other suggestions from readers?
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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
