[blindkid] Keyboard question and THANK YOU

[Steve Jacobson]

I would add that the F, J, and the 5 on the numeric pad are usually marked already and should not 
normally require additional marking.  In addition, stickers or labels on keys are problematic as they 
can so easily end up inside the keyboard.  Although people sometimes stray from this now, trditional 
wisdom was that good keyboard users don't look at the keys, whether they are blind or sighted.  Using 
some kind of keyboard tutorial that emphasizes the use of the home position of the hands with an 
organized approach to memorizing the keyboard is useful.  To be truly at ease with the keyboard, one 
needs to not just memorize the keys, but associate a given key with a particular finger, for example.  
Many schools still have keyboarding classes for sighted kids to develop these skills.  There is typing 
software around that can help with this.  I believe the American Printing House for the Blind still has 
the Typing Tutor, for example.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 08:20:43 -0800, Jaquiss, Robert wrote:

>Hello:

>     I never used a keyboard with braille labels on it. It is very necessary to have the F and J keys 
marked and the 5 on the keypad. I think I would try having a key chart for reference, but it is 
important to memorize the keyboard, so if stickers were used, they would need to come off later.

>Regards,

>Robert


>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of L
>Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 10:43 AM
>To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List (forparentsofblindchildren)
>Subject: [blindkid] Keyboard question and THANK YOU

>Hi all,
>When teaching keyboarding skills or just beginning to learn the computer keyboard, should they memorize 
where the letters are or is it okay to put the braille stickers on each letter of the keyboard? Any 
input on beginning keyboarding skills and/or games to play and practice would be wonderful as well.  
Thanks, Laurie Wages
> 
>PS THANK YOU for all your help with the gifted testing question I asked a few weeks ago.  I went armed 
with information, they just weren't sure what test to give Hannah.  The special education director even 
informed the school staff of a few "mistakes" they had made when telling me certain things!  We all sat 
together and chose the test and she is being tested this week.  Now we will see what happens with 
results, but so far, so good.  I don't answer a lot of questions on this listserv because I am still 
learning so much, but it is so wonderful that you all take the time to read these and answer and help 
the parents!  I hope in the future I can help others as well!  Thank you again!  Laurie
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