Fastype Typing Tutorial

Trendtech 1997

http://www.rocketdownload.com/programs/fastype.exe

 

The national curriculum area is Technology, however computer operations skills are useful across the developed curriculum. The Strands which are related to this program are Information and Systems. Fastype Typing Tutorial can be used in conjunction with other computer and non-computer related learning experiences to gain the maximum benefit for students.

 

The Key Intended Technology Outcome for Level 3, Mode - Operations is stated as such: "Puts information into a computer by touch-typing or dictation". Some other student learning outcomes which relate to this area are:

* to become proficient in touch typing (towards level 4)

* to use touch typing for a variety of purposes

* to broaden overall keyboard awareness

* to develop dexterity and fine motor skills

 

Some off-computer activities which could be used in conjunction with the Fastype Typing Tutorial program to achieve these outcomes include:

* ones which develop fine motor skills, for example - playing the piano and other musical instruments, knitting and other fine art/craft activities, some small ball/bat activities in physical education - particularly useful are those which require hand-eye co-ordination

* "Keyboard Bingo" could be played by a group of children or by the whole class. Each child would need an unlabelled outline of a keyboard, and the 26 alphabet letters cut out individually to choose from. Each child would randomly select 5 letters from a bag and set them out along the top of their blank keyboard. The teacher then calls out letters and as their letter is said, each child places it on the correct space on the keyboard. Once their 5 letters have all been placed, they shout "Keyboard Bingo!" and the rest of the class checks to see if the letters are in the correct places. If so - this child is the winner, if not - the game continues until there is another shout.

* "Keyboard Bingo" can be extended by adding numbers, enter, full-stops, commas and other keys as the children memorize more of the keyboard.

* It can also be simplified by reducing the choice of letters to simply the home keys (asdf jkl;), the vowels or particular rows of letters.

This game, in whatever form, will reinforce the children's matching skills and their associations of letters with positioning, therefore increasing overall keyboard awareness.

 

There are also several computer-based activities which will supplement the Fastype Typing Tutorial. Some of these relate directly to other modes of computer usage, such as:

* Publishing - efficiently producing an assignment/piece of work/document using Word, Works or another word processing program

* Communication - exchanging email

* Independent Learning - software supporting learning in literacy and numeracy. These may include speed-spelling and speed-mathematics programs which require manual dexterity as well as mental efficiency.

 

Classroom management is fairly straightforward in relation to this topic. Fastype Typing Tutorial is a program for use by individual children during a time when there is little other activity in the classroom, as it requires concentration.

Sessions should last for around 10 - 15 minutes each child, without distractions, and should be repeated around 2 - 3 times per week. This allows students to obtain the maximum benefits through repetition.

The computer should preferably be positioned somewhere in the classroom so as not to distract other children from their work, or allow the user to be distracted. A chair (preferably ergonomic), of the correct height for the children should be provided and aspects such as posture, positioning of pages, fingers, elbows and so on, should be noted. For hints on these, see the Help - How to Type option in the Fastype program.

A roster of students' names could be placed next to the computer so they are aware of 'taking turns'. This roster could be alternated each week so different people use the program at different times. This breaks up the lesson plans and prevents a routine activity arising, so as to hold the children's interest and keep them motivated.

 

Evaluation is a very important aspect of such a program, in which instant feedback and the students' history play a vital role. The "Show History" option in Fastype allows both teacher and student to track progress. This can be saved on the computer or printed out for hardcopy records. This includes information on:

* Date, time, drill/exercise, accuracy, words per minute, number of characters, number of words, typing errors, time elapsed (MM:SS) and raw words per minute.

Self-assessment sheets could be drawn up for/by each child so they can record details of each session themselves, for example best performances in accuracy, words per minute and so on. This allows the instant feedback to be used by students and this knowledge of results has been shown to be most beneficial with regard to improving performance.

From these self-assessment and computer-based assessments, students could graph their results either on graph paper or using a computer program such as Word, Works or Excel. These could show results at fortnightly intervals (for example, after 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of using the program) so any improvements (or digressions) could be easily interpreted. When graphically represented, this information is easy to compare, as opposed to textual representation, in which all the facts and figures can sometimes be confusing.

 

Evaluation of other computer based activities will be fairly specific - though the teacher can generally observe progress and success in the modes of publishing, independent learning and communication. Hard copies of published work can be displayed and shown to parents whilst supporting software may need to be monitored by the teacher as it is being used by the students. Off-computer activites will also require observation on the teacher's behalf, as well as collecting some of the materials produced and noting improvement in dextrous activities.