Keyboarding Without Tears to Improve the Keyboarding Skills of Elementary Students

Abstract

In order to meet the demands of the technology-driven world, students must demonstrate keyboarding competency as early as in kindergarten. Common Core Standards now have technology requirement starting with third grade students having to compose work using a word processor. New advances in technology are adapting the classroom environment and involving technology for computer based test, assignments, and projects. Research supports keyboarding competency requires formal instruction however type and frequency is yet to be established (Freeman et al., 2005). Keyboarding Without Tears [registered] (KWT) is a web-based application that utilizes game-based lessons to encourage the development of pre-keyboarding skills. KWT is unique in its approach to providing developmentally appropriate keyboarding education per grade level with consistent approaches to letter location and motor patterns (Olsen & Knapton, 2015). The following research study examines the effect of KWT application on elementary students' keyboarding abilities compared to students receiving traditional keyboarding for a full academic year. Specific keyboarding abilities include speed and accuracy as well as keyboarding method. Researchers also examine the relationship between time spent using the KWT and improvement in keyboarding abilities.