Keyboarding Without Tears: The best typing program for sensitive kids
Updated on July 10, 2023
This review was written by Manisha Snoyer, the founder and CEO of Modulo, a company that provides resources and support families who are homeschooling their children. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, Manisha has instructed over 2,000 children of all ages and abilities in three countries and 18 subjects. She has tutored at some of the best private schools in the world and throughout the NYC public school system. Manisha graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University.
Keyboarding Without Tears is an online program for K-5th grade students, designed to teach them how to type and develop computer skills such as digital citizenship. Keyboarding Without Tears helps elementary school students develop typing skills, general computer skills, digital citizenship skills, and online test preparation skills. Their activities connect typing to various subjects to keep students engaged. Keyboarding Without Tears was created to make digital literacy instruction a fun and frustration-free process. It aims to help children develop important digital communication skills. Parents/teachers can purchase the online program through the Keyboarding Without Tears shop. Students then follow comprehensive instructions that assist them in their learning process. The program incorporates a variety of multi-curricular activities and digital citizenship lessons into typing. Teachers are excited about the progress their students are making. Many teachers are noticing their students are faster at typing and are developing important online communication skills. Some parents don't like the lack of feedback the program gives to their children. They feel like their students would improve more and be more engaged if they received commentary.
Grades: K-5th grade
Cost: A one year student license is around $12. Purchases for a class vary on the quantity of licenses that are being bought.
Key Features of Keyboarding Without Tears
"Keyboarding Without Tears" has been a component of the "Handwriting Without Tears" program, a method that was developed to teach handwriting to children in a way that supports a variety of learning styles. This program has extended to keyboarding instruction to also make the process of learning to type more accessible and enjoyable for students.
Here are some key features of the "Keyboarding Without Tears" approach:
1. **Age-appropriate Instruction:** The program offers developmentally appropriate lessons for different age groups. It's designed to be started in kindergarten and proceed through the elementary grades.
2. **Seamless Integration:** The program integrates well with standard classroom curriculums and can be used alongside other educational technology tools.
3. **Interactive Learning:** It uses digital activities and games to make the learning process interactive and engaging for students. This includes multi-sensory activities and game-like experiences that develop typing speed and accuracy over time.
4. **Instructional Variety:** The program includes both direct instruction and independent learning activities, giving students a range of ways to engage with the material.
5. **Progress Monitoring:** Teachers can track student progress with an online management system, helping them to identify where students are struggling and offer targeted support.
6. **Preparation for Digital Assessment:** It provides preparation for digital testing by developing familiarity with the keyboard and improving typing fluency.
7. **Emphasis on Correct Posture:** Along with teaching keyboarding skills, the program also emphasizes correct typing posture to prevent physical discomfort or strain.
8. **Teaching of Digital Citizenship:** The program includes lessons on digital citizenship, helping students learn how to behave responsibly and safely online.
Note: The features and methods may have been updated or changed after 2021. Please refer to the current resources for the most accurate information.
Pros and Cons of Keyboarding Without Tears
Pros:
1. Engaging Curriculum: Parents seem to appreciate the comprehensive and engaging nature of the program that not only helps children learn keyboarding skills but also supports their overall learning experience.
2. Helpful in Building Fine Motor Skills: Keyboarding Without Tears helps children enhance their fine motor skills. This is seen as a significant benefit for children with different abilities.
3. Excellent for Learners with Special Needs: Parents of children with special needs, including dysgraphia and dyslexia, found the program beneficial. They felt it accommodated the learning needs of their children better than traditional methods.
4. Systematic and Sequential Learning: The program is designed in a step-by-step manner, allowing children to learn and progress at their own pace, which parents found very advantageous.
5. No Timed Tests: Many parents appreciated the absence of timed tests, which can often cause stress and anxiety in children, particularly those with attention difficulties or slow processing.
Cons:
1. Stress from Timed Activities: Despite the program itself not featuring timed tests, some parents mentioned that their children felt stressed from any time-related activities or expectations.
2. Not Suitable for All Learners: Some parents found that their children did not respond well to the method of instruction or found certain elements of the program frustrating or difficult.
3. May Require Additional Parental Support: Some parents found that they had to provide additional support to help their child navigate through the program, which may be a disadvantage for busy families.
4. Limited Customization: The program may not be fully customizable to cater to individual learning preferences and speeds, which was a downside for some parents.
5. Cost: While not specifically mentioned in the comments provided, the cost of the program could potentially be a drawback for some families.
FAQ about Keyboarding Without Tears
Q: Is Keyboarding Without Tears good?
A: Yes, many parents and educators find Keyboarding Without Tears to be a beneficial program. It is appreciated for its engaging curriculum, focus on building fine motor skills, and suitability for learners with special needs. The program's systematic and sequential learning style is also commended. However, like any educational tool, its effectiveness can vary depending on the child's learning style and needs.
Q: What is Keyboarding Without Tears?
A: Keyboarding Without Tears is a curriculum designed to teach keyboarding skills to students. The program integrates typing instruction with cross-curricular content to make learning meaningful and interesting. It also helps develop overall digital citizenship skills. It is part of the larger Learning Without Tears program, which offers a variety of tools and resources for handwriting and learning.
Q: How much does Keyboarding Without Tears cost?
A: Pricing for Keyboarding Without Tears can vary. As of my last update in September 2021, individual licenses could be purchased for around $10 to $20 per student per year. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it is recommended to visit the Learning Without Tears website or contact the company directly.
Q: How can I practice typing without looking?
A: The key to learning how to type without looking is through practice and familiarity with the keyboard layout. Start with learning and practicing home row keys. Gradually add other keys, ensuring you're comfortable with each set before moving on. There are many online typing tutors and games available that can make this practice fun and engaging. Regular practice and patience are essential in developing this skill.
Q: Is typing good for the brain?
A: Yes, typing can be beneficial for the brain. It can help improve hand-eye coordination, boost memory, and enhance fine motor skills. It also promotes the development of muscle memory, as your fingers learn the location of the keys. Furthermore, learning to touch type (typing without looking at the keys) can also help increase focus and productivity since you're able to concentrate on the screen and your thoughts rather than the keyboard.
OTHER DETAILS
Key features
Type of Tool: Website
Time required: Lessons are generally short and teachers spend around 10 minutes each day using Keyboarding Without Keys to teach their students.
Special Needs:
Literacy Requirement (does a child need to know how to read):
Screens
Screens: Yes, an electronic device is required
Online requirement:
Time
Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Yes, kids can use it with no help from a parent, teacher or caregiver
Prep Time: Minimal prep time
Other characteristics
Modality: Audio, Visual, Audiovisual, Hands-on/kinesthetic
Adaptive:
Educational Philosophy: Not really, doesn't seem to be influenced by a particular educational philosophy
Other characteristics: Typing
Accountability
Assessment:
State Standards: No
Teacher Accounts:
Read Reviews: https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/keyboarding-without-tears
