Author: Yvonne M. Ash
Title: The Timeliness of Keyboarding Instructions as Perceived by Broward Middle School Instructors
Institution: Nova Southeastern University

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http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/research_evaluation/researchresults/335YvonneAsh/335YvonneAsh.pdf

The Timeliness of Keyboarding Instructions as Perceived by Broward Middle School Instructors. Ash, Yvonne, 2005: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education and Human Services. ERIC Descriptors: technology, keyboarding, QUERTY, teaching, timing, policy, appropriate.

Ten and eleven year old students are entering the sixth grade at this local middle school with little or no keyboarding skills. With so much access to computers, the writer questions whether the sixth grade is the appropriate level for initial keyboarding instructions. For educational leaders to successfully implement the national strategy of the infusion of technology in education, school policies on the timeliness of keyboarding instructions to children must have periodic assessments. Students using the computer keyboard proficiently have acquired an essential technical skill to be an active partner with the integration of technology in education.

To conduct this internal evaluation, the writer focused on the perceptions of middle school teachers responsible for keyboarding instructions. With interviews and surveys the writer will collect their perceptions on the timeliness of keyboarding instructions to six graders. Perceptions of this target group will be collected, analyzed and compared to the local district policy and current trends revealed through literature reviews.

The final analysis will assist the District in its review of policy on the appropriate grade level for keyboarding instructions. A keyboarding model will be created to test a change in policy on the appropriate grade level for teaching keyboarding. This final analysis with further study will reveal the need for the District to establish a direct initiative for all students to learn keyboarding as a technical skill, specifically those in elementary school. The district will then develop a specific initiative on keyboarding for the parents, community and businesses to partner with and support. This final analysis influences the District’s effort and advocacy for increased infusion of technology in education to benefit student achievement.