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ICT is an effective communication tool for dyslexic users. It saves hours of time, especially when planning, writing and editing information. To make the most of word processing it is important to ensure all users have good keyboard awareness and efficient typing skills.
Accurate touch typing at a speed faster than the typist’s writing is the ideal.
Whilst many keyboard users can achieve this others do not.
In such cases, efficiency and accuracy at a speed as fast, or faster than writing, can be a more achievable and helpful target.
Efficient keyboard skills can be hugely beneficial in education, recording in exams (where permitted) and at work.
Correct fingering of keys and the using of both hands should be encouraged at the earliest opportunity. This will discourage the learner from developing the habit of typing with only one hand or slow key pecking with one finger. Such habits can be difficult to break.
As with any skill, regular practice is essential for improvement. Typing skills should be practised little and often; newly acquired skills should be applied whenever the keyboard is used.
A bit like learning a musical instrument, the activities may seem tedious and slow to begin with but successful achievements reap great rewards. Individual users will need plenty of encouragement to persevere. Older users will often complete the whole course, whilst younger learners may need a range of activities, both serious and fun.
There are many programs available to help and encourage keyboard awareness, typing and touch typing skills. Most require loading onto a computer and are used interactively in lessons and activities which monitor progress.
Some programs are “ paper based schemes ” that can be practised on any QUERTY keyboard.
Some younger dyslexic users find the upper case capital letters hard to identify on a standard keyboard. Lower case key stickers (removable), are available from Inclusive Technology to cover the equivalent keys to help overcome this.
Keyboard Awareness programs.
These programs are usually designed for younger users, to encourage quick key finding through a variety of games and activities. Some are linked to Literacy activities.
A low tech alternative is to create key finding games using a Keyboard Mat.
Typing Programs.
Good touch typing programs are usually interactive, with full speech support, clear instructions and include sets of graded exercises, starting with the "home keys" * or specific key patterns.
As well as auditory prompts, many include visual options of onscreen keyboards displaying the key required or correct finger positions. Many include drill and practice activities with accuracy and speed scores. Some have reward games to improve speed and accuracy.
*Home keys are usually the middle letter row and have discreet raised markers on F (left hand) and J (right hand) for the index finger positions.
Several programs are designed to motivate younger users by setting them in an adventure context, or use a familiar cartoon character and include typing and keyboard skills, as well as games. These usually have scores and reward games to increase motivation and speed.
Some recent programs offer a mixture of both standard typing lessons and a choice of activities.
Several programs use specific vocabulary lists to combine spelling and typing practise. Others allow users to create their own lists or sentences for practice, that meet specific needs for learning individual spelling patterns or vocabulary.
Some of the portable writing aids, such as the Alphasmart range, have a typing program available for use on their product (e.g. KAZ, Ultra Key). These are available from Alphasmart or see the suppliers details below.
BBC Schools web site offer a free online typing skills program as part of their Dance Mat series ( Dance Mat not required), suitable for children from 7- 11yrs approx. ( www.bbc.co.uk/schools)
Good sources of a range of Typing Programs are:
REM: Tel: 01458 254 700.
iANSYST Ltd: Tel: 01223 420 101.
Box 42 Ltd: Tel: 0151 426 9988.
Popular Programs for children include:
Tel: 020 8203 1781
All of these and can be purchased from the suppliers above
Page updated: 29 January 2008
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