Submitted by Andrew Moore (not verified) on April 9, 2008 - 19:50.
We must remember that proper technology integration doesn't only occur with your typical office productivity tools. If integration only occurred after students learned to touch type, that would mean that technology doesn't have anything to offer until the students are able to read and write. Without getting too wordy, let me list some technology projects that add value to the to curriculum without a huge need for typing skills:
1. Video - teacher creates, student created, 3rd party created. Visual literacy is one of the most important 21st Century skills we can teach.
2. Discussion forums - Many people argue that students shouldn't be allowed to use their Instant Message grammar in an academic environment. When the focus of your lesson is on the intelligent sharing of ideas concerning the causes and effects of the civil rights movement, do you really care if there are a few mispellings.
3. Simulation software - most of us in education remember Oregon Trail!
4. Individualized course management programs - Riverdeep has a suite of programs called Destination Reading and Math that integrate into the curriculum by introducing new topics, building new skills, giving immediate feedback and more, all with very little touch typing required.
This list is very brief in nature. I could go on for days.
The question still comes up in our district pretty often about when we teach typing. I typically respond with the same answer...what would you like us to cut out in order to have the time to adequately teach it? I have actually copied the text of the letter I send as a response to my blog if you care to read it. http://historyofeducation.blogspot.com
We must teach typing in order to integrate?
Submitted by Andrew Moore (not verified) on April 9, 2008 - 19:50.
We must remember that proper technology integration doesn't only occur with your typical office productivity tools. If integration only occurred after students learned to touch type, that would mean that technology doesn't have anything to offer until the students are able to read and write. Without getting too wordy, let me list some technology projects that add value to the to curriculum without a huge need for typing skills:
1. Video - teacher creates, student created, 3rd party created. Visual literacy is one of the most important 21st Century skills we can teach.
2. Discussion forums - Many people argue that students shouldn't be allowed to use their Instant Message grammar in an academic environment. When the focus of your lesson is on the intelligent sharing of ideas concerning the causes and effects of the civil rights movement, do you really care if there are a few mispellings.
3. Simulation software - most of us in education remember Oregon Trail!
4. Individualized course management programs - Riverdeep has a suite of programs called Destination Reading and Math that integrate into the curriculum by introducing new topics, building new skills, giving immediate feedback and more, all with very little touch typing required.
This list is very brief in nature. I could go on for days.
The question still comes up in our district pretty often about when we teach typing. I typically respond with the same answer...what would you like us to cut out in order to have the time to adequately teach it? I have actually copied the text of the letter I send as a response to my blog if you care to read it. http://historyofeducation.blogspot.com
Andy