With few exceptions, students interact with technology in one way or another every day. And yet, in most U.S. schools, the term "computer science" (CS) refers only to generic skills classes, such as keyboarding and computer applications. Even most Web programming classes usually teach students only how to use conventional graphical user…

Developed through a cooperative effort of many teachers and researchers, this guide is intended to supplement existing elementary and middle school materials on keyboarding. The guide contains sections that are designed for stand-alone use. Topics cover a wide range of strategies, including teaching special needs students. The U.S. Postal Service…

Presents five articles that consider computer keyboarding instruction at the elementary school level. Highlights include keyboard familiarization techniques that do not require a computer; integrating keyboarding skills into the rest of the curriculum; and Type-Right, an inexpensive laptop computer dedicated to teaching keyboarding. (LRW)

This guide is the product of a project to reassess and update the data entry curriculum used in business and office occupations programs throughout the State of Washington. It is intended to assist teachers and administrators responsible for making decisions affecting first-year keyboarding programs, implementing secondary school keyboarding…

Computer keyboards are being used by everyone from elementary students to business executives in industry. All need basic touch keyboarding skills to make efficient use of these computers. The challenge is for business educators to initiate these keyboarding courses at all levels. (JOW)

Describes results of a questionnaire concerning such questions as where is the first keyboarding/typing class taught, length of this class, what equipment is utilized, and what students in kindergarten through eighth grade are doing with microcomputers. The author then makes suggestions for improving the curriculum for keyboarding in elementary…

This project report describes the development of a seventh-grade curriculum to promote microcomputer keyboarding skills, i.e., learning correct alpha-numeric reaches, developing proficiency in making appropriate reaches, using correct fingering without looking at the keyboard, and attaining a degree of speed and accuracy. Although the curriculum…

Workplace trends such as downsizing and information technology and the paradigm shift resulting from these trends have implications for the keyboarding/office technology curriculum. An integrated approach helps students learn basic computer skills as they master keyboarding and formatting. (JOW)

This master's research project gathered information to be used in the production of curriculum resources to support the teaching of touch-keyboarding in upper elementary classrooms. The project was undertaken on the premise that portable keyboards permit and necessitate a shift in instructional routines to foster student mastery of…

This study identified how elementary teachers use microcomputers in the classroom and how they perceive their role and needs in teaching keyboarding. A majority believe students should be taught the touch method; about half favor team teaching of keyboarding by business and elementary teachers. (JOW)

Discusses the need for and the problems with teaching keyboarding to elementary school students, and the types of software necessary for meaningful instruction. (JC)

Discusses need for development of keyboarding skills at the elementary school level; issues to be addressed when developing keyboarding curricula (criterion for competence, how much is necessary, time needed, who should teach and how); and program considerations (hardware, curriculum, principles of instruction, instructional periods, classroom or…

A master plan for updating keyboarding programs must ensure that five components work together: learner, teacher, curriculum, resources, and administration. Periodic evaluation ensures that the program is providing the skills needed. (SK)

Recommends that business educators (1) make administrators aware of the importance of a keyboarding course, (2) sequence a microcomputer course directly after the typing course, and (3) teach the microcomputer course themselves. (CT)

The findings of a literature review of business education in Great Britain, the United States, and Canada were as follows: business education will be in greater demand in the high school and it will be extended downward into the elementary school and upward into the postsecondary institutes, especially in the areas of keyboarding and computer…