05.24.06
Keyboarding – now, later or ever?
An interesting comment was posted to a list that I read regarding a posting on digg:
John C. Dvorak talks about education and what cheating means. I am not the biggest Dvorak as he is somewhat “ranty,” but the article brings up some good points nonetheless.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1965812,00.asp
another member also wondered:
I am a very interested in his points on penmanship. How important is it any more? Are we just holding onto it for tradition? Is it more important than learning to type well?
This led to my question:
Does learning to type well still mean touch-typing?
What do you think?
May 24, 2006 at 10:44 am
There are many ways to evaluate typing. For instance, I never was able to properly learn in the home-row standardized typing classes. I suppose it did not help any that I could out-type the instructor and I did not use standard typing methods, but I digress.
The way I type now is still not “correct” and I do visually reference the keyboard constantly, but i rarely have any issues typing on a keyboard I am familiar with (now… when they move the delete key around or make the return key one of the large, two row jobbies I have issues sometimes).
So, I guess, my thoughts on this are that keyboarding is an essential skill in today’s world, much more so than penmanship and keyboarding accurately and rapidly is very important. Penmanship is going to continuously decrease in importance and computing technology becomes more and more prevalent. I rarely write anything down anymore, and when I do it is usually me doing arithmetic on the back of an envelope because I am too lazy to flip open my phone, grab my palm pilot, or use the calculator in my computer.
Further confusing this debate is the emergence of tiny keyboards that people cannot possibly use with home-row style typing. For instance, my Tungsten C palm pilot has a full keyboard on it, but the keys are far too tiny to use normal keyboarding techniques so I “thumb-type” when I am taking notes with it or I use the grafiti tool to “write” on the screen. I imagine more and more small devices will come equipped with mini-keyboards over time so people can accurately enter text in a fashion that is more rapid that pushing the 7 key 4 times to enter an S.
May 24, 2006 at 10:45 am
Throughout his article, Dvorak seems to mix his “kids” across the entire educational spectrum (kindergarten to grad school). There is certainly a difference. In my own classrooms, I have to evaluate what is appropriate for what grade. My rule….once a student knows how to do it manually to a reasonable level, use the tool/techological device (exception…if a student has a learning disability that prevents manual mastery). Until a student can count and understand the relationship of numbers…punching buttons that match the worksheet proves only they can master the button sequence/symbology. Once a student understands add/subtract…PEMDAS..etc., then let them use the calculator if they wish on solving problems. Later when it is time to figure the flight time to the moon, I would let them use a program, but they would have to demonstrate that they UNDERSTAND the formula and what is happening, not just crunch an answer.
Writing is much the same. Constructing good sentences, organizing thoughts, and expressing them appropriately tends to be more appropriately taught and reinforced as a writing skill as opposed to a verbal skill. It is easier for both the teacher and the student to see the circles and arrows on printed materials rather than trying to listen to a tape to find the exact phrase and demonstrate why it was incorrect, inappropriate, or better in a different location.
Cut and paste, keyboard…yes, great…I’m interested in whether Johnny and Susie can tell me why the well cited pasted is appropriate and supports their arguement. I’m also interested in what Johnny and Susie think about what the experts say–do they believe the “facts” or do they disagree and why.
Dvorak is correct in that tools are appropriate in many locations in ‘real life,’ but he is wrong when he believes that educators don’t realize that understanding and being able to do a task manually is different from cheating.
Floyd from Waterville Maine
May 24, 2006 at 11:00 am
In response to Justin and Floyd — Get the essential skill (inputing to a computer at a satisfactory rate, knowing how, why and when to cite, understand the concepts) is much more important than conforming to older paradigms of what to use. i.e. my husband types at around 55 wpm with 3-4 fingers on each hand. Is this a satisfactory method? should students be using calculators, computers, handhelds when being evaluated? how important is spelling — now there is one for discussion — ?
Sharon
May 24, 2006 at 11:21 am
First, yes, my dad used to out type me with the 4-finger/2-thumbs method of typing all the time. It was very frustrating as a sophomore in high school (especially with my favorite teacher preaching each day how we would “blow away” all those people who didn’t know how to use the home row).
Oh my….spelling….
I get this from students all the time, “but Mr W, you knew what I meant.” Yes, in a lot of cases I do, but that’s because I have a relationship… meaning that not only am I familiar with how they normally speak, but I also have an impression of their credibility on the subject–a stranger doesn’t. When I read a professional article, as opposed to a blog, I have a much higher expectation of spelling and grammar. The structure and precision in written (or I’ll concede audio/video) material either adds or detracts from the believability, credibility, of the source.
“U R RITE,” may be alright between teens or good friends, but if that was the response of a student above the 5th grade, I’d certainly doubt their level of understanding. Without the aid of personal context, the work itself must stand…. I tell my students that they are not just writing for me, but for a much larger audience (other scholars, principal and school board, possibly the Internet audience as well). If the doctor walks in with dirty clothes from gardening, I may question whether I should ask for another doctor—if the paper is sloppy, misspelled, and disorganized, mostly quotes with no commentary of your own, are you likely to impress me with your grasp of the subject?
Thanks for this opportunity to vent, share, and express….and please forgive spelling, grammar, organization, as this is a blog…not my master’s thesis…….Floyd
May 24, 2006 at 11:59 am
I agree — sort of — if we want to really hear what our students believe and are thinking on a topic, do we need to always have them produce a “perfect” paper? I can see the final draft meeting all district / teacher criteria, but drafts, brainstorming, idea-bouncing couldn’t they come across with LOL?
May 24, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Yep, absolutely….the draft and informal communication is very fluid and forgiving in my book. I regularly get quick notes from building administrators/directors that have typos…I never criticize these as I work on the project. And, they never seem to judge me by my drafts or quick on-the-fly emails. It is only the final presentation that is seen by people outside the working group that must be to the higher standard….with students, I am the same way….
Again, thanks for the venue to express
July 18, 2006 at 2:01 pm
I wonder how old students need to be to be able to learn typing? And does handwriting still have importance in education? I feel that nowadays students have such access to personal computers and other tech products, that other than signatures, I wonder if handwriting instruction will become obsolete.