Competencies

Overview

The following competencies focus on keyboarding knowledge and skills. As keyboarding is a cumulative skill, the success at one level is highly dependent upon the success attained at the previous level.

Competencies at each level should be studied and modified to suit the student's age, maturity and physical capabilities; to match the availability of personnel, time, and equipment; to take into account students' previous keyboarding experience; and to assist in accomplishing their new keyboarding skills.

Due to the cumulative nature of acquiring keyboarding skill, the competencies stated in kindergarten are also included in grades one through six. For example, kindergarten students will learn a brand new set of competencies in their keyboarding module. When that student reaches grade one, those learned competencies will be reviewed, reinforced, and improved upon and new competencies will be introduced as part of the grade one module. These new competencies are printed in bold type to allow for the easy separation of the old and the new at each grade level. The content of the grade two keyboarding module will include all the keyboarding skills that the student learned in kindergarten and grade one along with additional new competencies. Once again, the new competencies are bolded. This review and reinforcement of learned skills occurs throughout the entire program allowing students to gain confidence and improve their keyboarding ability.

In addition, the repetition of learned skills at each grade level allows for flexibility in the implementation of the elementary keyboarding guidelines. Although it is recommended that instruction in keyboarding begin with a readiness phase at the kindergarten level, that may not be possible or desirable in all situations. If a school decides to commence keyboarding instruction at the grade four level, the competencies listed at that level will include all that have been stated for kindergarten through grade four. The exact grade level at which touch keyboarding is instituted is not as important as providing students with a useful skill before they begin using keyboards extensively.

Throughout the program, students should strive to build and maintain a positive attitude and develop the ability to follow both oral and written instructions.

The following are cumulative recommendations for each grade level.

Learning Competencies

By the end of Kindergarten, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Use both hands on the keyboard;
Use the correct hand to key the space bar and the return (enter) key. On computer keyboards, students will also use the correct hand for the cursor (arrow) keys and the escape key; and,
Demonstrate proper technique, with particular emphasis on body posture (see checklist).

By the end of Grade One, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Demonstrate proper technique, with particular emphasis on body posture (see checklist);
Use the correct hand for the following keys: cursor (arrow) keys, escape key, caps lock key, control key;
Key the following using the correct finger of the correct hand: space bar, return or enter key, shift keys (both left and right); and,
Key all of the alphabetic and numeric keys using the correct hand.

By the end of Grade Two, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Demonstrate proper technique (see checklist);
Use the correct hand for the following special purpose keys: cursor (arrow) keys, escape key, backspace key, caps lock key, control key, insert key, delete key, break key;
Key the following using the correct finger of the correct hand: space bar, return or enter key, shift keys (both left and right); and,
Key the home row keys (a, s, d, f, j, k, l, and semicolon) by touch using the correct finger of the correct hand. Continue to key all other alphabetic and numeric keys using the correct hand.

By the end of Grade Three, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Use the correct hand for the following special purpose keys: cursor (arrow) keys, escape key, backspace key, caps lock key, control key, insert key, delete key, break key;
Demonstrate proper technique;
Key the entire alphabetic keyboard by touch using the correct finger of the correct hand; and,
Demonstrate the ability to compose at the keyboard.

By the end of Grade Four, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Key the alphabetic keyboard by touch, using the correct finger of the correct hand;
Use the correct hand for special purpose keys to include: cursor (arrow) keys, escape key, backspace key, caps lock key, control key, insert key, delete key, and the break key;
Demonstrate proper technique;
Reinforce and further develop the skill of touch keyboarding;
Apply this new skill to all areas of study whenever possible;
Key the numeric keyboard (numbers located above the alphabetic keys) by touch using the correct finger of the correct hand; and,
Develop and enhance the ability to compose at the keyboard.

By the end of Grade Five, the student should be able to:

Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software;
Key the alphabetic and numeric keyboard by touch using the correct finger of the correct hand;
Reinforce and further develop the skill of touch keyboarding;
Apply this new skill to all areas of study whenever possible;
Use the correct hand for special purpose keys to include: cursor (arrow) keys, escape key, backspace key, caps lock key, control key, insert key, delete key, and the break key;
Demonstrate proper technique;
Develop and enhance the ability to compose at the keyboard;
Develop speed and accuracy on the keyboard reaching a speed on a one-minute timed writing of 15 to 20 gross words per minute;
Develop proofreading and editing skills; and,
Accurately key the symbol keys using proper technique.

A Comprehensive Summary of Competencies

Competencies	K	1	2	3	4	5
Identify the basic parts of the computer/ typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software.	*	*	*	*	*	*
Use both hands on the keyboard.	*	*	*	*	*	*
Use the correct hand to key the space bar, return (enter) key, cursor (arrow) keys and the escape key.	*	*	*	*	*	*
Demonstrate proper technique. (See checklist.)	*	*	*	*	*	*
Use the correct finger of the correct hand for the space bar, return (enter) key, and shift keys.	*	*	*	*	*	*
Use the correct hand to key alphanumeric keys.		*	*	*	*	*
Use the correct hand to key control keys and caps lock.		*	*	*	*	*
Key the following by touch: space bar, return (enter) key, and shift keys.			*	*	*	*
Use the correct hand for the following keys: cursor (arrow), backspace, escape, caps lock, control, insert, delete, and break.			*	*	*	*
Key the home row keys (a, s, d, f, j, k, l, and semicolon) by touch.			*	*	*	*
Key the alphabetic keyboard by touch.				*	*	*

Competencies	K	1	2	3	4	5
Demonstrate the ability to compose at the keyboard.				*	*	*
Key the numeric keys by touch.					*	*
Reinforce and further develop touch keyboarding skill.					*	*
Use keyboarding skill in other areas of study whenever possible.					*	*
Develop and enhance ability to compose at the keyboard.					*	*
Develop speed and accuracy using half and one-minute timings.						*
Develop proofreading and editing skills.						*
Key the symbol keys by touch.						*

Cumulative Keyboarding Progress Report

The cumulative keyboarding report below is designed to be used continuously throughout the Elementary Level. When a student has achieved a particular competency, indicate that achievement and record the date. Additional information may include the student's current grade level and the teacher's name.

Keyboarding Progress Report _______________________________________________

Cumulative Checklist __________________________________________________

Student's Name ____________________________________________________

Competency	Achieved	Date
Identify the basic parts of the computer/typewriter and demonstrate the proper care and handling of equipment and/or software.
Use both hands on the keyboard.
Use the correct hand to key the space bar, return (enter) key, cursor (arrow) keys and the escape key.
Demonstrate proper technique (see checklist).
Use the correct finger of the correct hand for the space bar, return (enter) key, and shift keys.
Use the correct hand to key all alphanumeric keys.
Use the correct hand for the control keys and caps lock.
Key the following by touch: space bar, return (enter) key, and shift keys.

Competency	Achieved	Date
Use the correct hand for the following keys: cursor (arrow), backspace, escape, caps lock, control, insert,delete, and break.
Key the home row keys (a, s, d, f, j, k, l, and semicolon) by touch.
Key the alphabetic keyboard by touch.
Demonstrate the ability to composeat the keyboard.
Key the numeric keys by touch.
Reinforce and further develop touchkeyboarding skill.
Use keyboarding skill in other areas of study whenever possible.
Develop and enhance ability to compose at the keyboard.
Develop speed and accuracy using half and one-minute timings.
Develop proofreading and editing skills.
Key the symbol keys by touch.

Student's Progress Report

A progress report may be sent home with each student's report card. An example of a grade three progress report is shown below.

Keyboarding Progress Report

Student's Name _________________________________________________

Teacher's Name ________________________________________________

Grade Level Three ____________________________________________

Competency

Acceptable

Improving

Needs More

Work

Identify basic parts of computer/typewriter and demonstrate proper care and handling of equipment and/or software.

Use the correct hand for following special purpose keys: cursor (arrow) keys; escape key; backspace key; caps lock key; control key; insert key; delete key; break key.

Demonstrate proper technique.

Key the entire alphabetic keyboard by touch, using the correct finger of the correct hand.

Demonstrate the ability to compose at the keyboard.

Comments/Suggestions for Improvement

Teacher's Signature _____________________________________ Date ___________

Parent's Signature ______________________________________ Date ___________

Competency	Acceptable	Improving	Needs More Work
Identify basic parts of computer/typewriter and demonstrate proper care and handling of equipment and/or software.
Use the correct hand for following special purpose keys: cursor (arrow) keys; escape key; backspace key; caps lock key; control key; insert key; delete key; break key.
Demonstrate proper technique.
Key the entire alphabetic keyboard by touch, using the correct finger of the correct hand.
Demonstrate the ability to compose at the keyboard.