So last week in class we discussed word processing. It got me thinkingg about my typing teacher. We started in forth grade and went till six grade. Each year you had a nine weeks of typing class. When we got into typing class we were not allowed to talk. We had to turn on our computers and go to a blank word document. Once there our teacher would start place drill instructor. We would start with reviewing the home row. She would be like aaaaaaa, fffffffff, afafafafaf, and so on and so on. Then we would learn a new letter each day. We did this every year for three years. I will tell you I can type but during the time of learning I was so afraid of loosing a finger if I looked down at the key board.
Now a days they don't do it like that. My brother can all type but they learned in technology class. They have always loved going to the computer lab but when I was in school I hated it. I can see if you make some enjoyable for students they will love it.
P.S. I finished my imovie and I even made my own music!!!
I remember that my typing class was also very intimidating and scary. I'm not really sure how much different it is now, but I hope the teachers are a little nicer! I also thought it was boring.
ReplyDeleteMost students in our 456/556 class said they were motivated to learn how to type because of AOL instant messaging. I wonder what the motivation for students is now. I know that some (a lot) of middle schoolers have Facebooks and/or MySpace so I think that would be a good guess.
That class would be awful! I can't imagine having to be in a class like that. I don't think the students would be very motivated at all. I'm glad that the format of the class has changed. It's good that your school realized that possibly the program wasn't so enjoyable for students. I'm also glad you got your iMovie finished. There were times when I was doing my project that I thought I would never finish. I don't think it was the technology that proved to be so difficult, but more so the story writing. It's been a while since I've had to write a story!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a personal experience with typing! By doing it that way you really had no idea with accuracy etc. Things have changed some in places, but this is still something we need to better address - especially at the elementary level.
ReplyDeleteI remember our class for typing was actually on a typewriter. I AM OLD! It is sad for me to say though it was the same kind of philosophy as your keyboarding class for the computer. Then I began to think how did I learn to keyboard and realized it was just from using the computer. I was in college when the first Apple was released and the pre-school there had some for the class and I remember the little four year olds typing away, but also being so in tune to the ABC's. It was quite the sight. They didn't even notice that their hands were so small.
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