Dysgraphic children and adults require training at an early age to master essential keyboarding skills. Once "Touch Typing" proficiency is achieved, many individuals with written language disabilities can rely on the use of assistive technology (i.e. computers and word processors with spelling and grammar checkers) to complete written work.

Materials for Classroom Keyboard Instruction

• Keyboarding Skills 2nd Edition by Diana Hanbury-King
  Grades –Ungraded

  This newly revised supplement to the Writing Skills series boosts writing achievement through keyboarding skills. Keyboarding and typing skills are increasingly important for student writers, especially those who struggle with the motor tasks of manual writing. This proven approach uses the innovative multisensory “alphabet method” to teach keyboarding skills to students of varying ages. Integrated with the Writing Skills series, this student book helps develop confidence and fluency in young writers. This second edition contains new and expanded exercises and a student-friendly design. The book forms its own easel for ergonomic comfort.

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• Keyboarding Skills: All Grades Diana Hanbury-King
  Available through Educators Publishing Service
  800/225-5750

This book describes a method for introducing the touch method fingering patterns in alphabetical order which any age student can learn quickly. The author emphasizes verbalizing of new key names as they are initially learned, in order to help "set" neural pathways.

• First Things First: A Teacher's Guide for Integrating Touch-Keyboard Training in the Elementary Classroom
  by Gay Wiseman

FingerWings is a teacher-directed instructional program which will prepare students to use computer keyboards effectively, efficiently and healthfully —as an integral part of their school work throughout the curriculum. It is not a software tutorial program. No software can tell which finger a student is using to strike a key, or whether the wrists are being held in a position that can cause injury over time! No software tutorial can provide the powerful motivation of a prepared, enthusiastic teacher!

• Train the Brain to Pay Attention the Write Way
  Jeanette Farmer
  Certified Handwriting Remediation Specialist
  4400 South Quebec Street, D104
  Denver, CO 80237
  303/740-6161
  An innovative, multi-sensory handwriting program

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• Elementary/Middle School Keyboarding Strategies Guide
  National Business Education Association
  1914 Association Drive
  Reston, VA 20191-1596
  703/860-8300
  http://www.nbea.org

This manual was first produced in 1992, and was revised for the second edition in 1997. The first edition is available in the ERIC microfilm archives at many university libraries. [ERIC access number: ED 355 407]. Either edition is an excellent guide to the technique fundamentals required for keyboarding success. Both also contain helpful information on developing an articulated school/district program. The 1997 edition added information on technique guidelines which prevent keyboarding-related repetitive stress injuries. It has an excellent reference list and includes a summary of research results.

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Last modified: July 11, 2010