[blindkid] Keyboard question and THANK YOU

[Carol Castellano]

Hi Laurie,

I'm in the no Braille stickers camp.  Everybody is supposed to learn 
to type by touch and it seems to me if the student needs feedback for 
which key was pressed, using a speaking program is much better than 
using Braille stickers.  First of all, in order to read a Braille 
sticker, you would have to move your finger across the Braille--you 
cannot read it by just pressing on it, so I really don't think 
Braille stickers serve a real purpose.  Secondly, really efficient 
keyboard use involves automatic movement with certain fingers in 
certain directions to certain distances.  It will be far more useful 
to your child to learn the keyboard in this spatial way than by 
stopping to read each letter before typing it.

Carol

Carol Castellano
President, Parents of Blind Children-NJ
Director of Programs
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.blindchildren.org
www.nopbc.org

At 10:42 AM 3/6/2012, you wrote:
>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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