In this article by Leslie Broun, it was written out of personal and professional experience of allowing students with ASD to use keyboards in the classroom. I'm sure as we were all reading, we thought of a student, or many, who struggle with paper and pencil writing activities, and who would benefit from the use of a keyboard.
Broun explains that many students struggle with physical act of printing and the writing process. These difficulties interfere with their academic performance. Some students never grasp the skills to use pencil and paper to express their thoughts. The inability to form letters correctly is call dysgraphia or dyscriptia (printing and writing). Some students with ASD also struggle with the motor tasks of printing and writing. Theses students who struggle can lose out in other areas such as academic participation and sometimes demonstrate poor behavior. But, with the simple substitution of a keyboard, these students can flourish.
Having computer devices in a classroom shouldn't be an argument in my opinion. When focusing on what is best for a given student, if a computer is best for them to succeed, then we should try our best to make that happen. Since this article was written, a lot has changed over the last decade in schools. Devices are now smaller and mobile, therefore, students can move their devices around with them, instead of being stuck to a desktop computer in the corner of their classroom. I have seen many students who do struggle with printing and writing, do a complete 360 when introduced to a computer device that allows them to express their thoughts in a different way. Fair is everyone getting what they need to be successful!
Broun explains that many students struggle with physical act of printing and the writing process. These difficulties interfere with their academic performance. Some students never grasp the skills to use pencil and paper to express their thoughts. The inability to form letters correctly is call dysgraphia or dyscriptia (printing and writing). Some students with ASD also struggle with the motor tasks of printing and writing. Theses students who struggle can lose out in other areas such as academic participation and sometimes demonstrate poor behavior. But, with the simple substitution of a keyboard, these students can flourish.
Having computer devices in a classroom shouldn't be an argument in my opinion. When focusing on what is best for a given student, if a computer is best for them to succeed, then we should try our best to make that happen. Since this article was written, a lot has changed over the last decade in schools. Devices are now smaller and mobile, therefore, students can move their devices around with them, instead of being stuck to a desktop computer in the corner of their classroom. I have seen many students who do struggle with printing and writing, do a complete 360 when introduced to a computer device that allows them to express their thoughts in a different way. Fair is everyone getting what they need to be successful!
Another important point that Broun makes is although it is important to focus on the ability to learn, but to do it independently. Independence is very important to me as an educator, and it is also a trait I try to instill in my students.
The starting points and strategy section of the article is very helpful. They are straightforward points to consider when thinking about introducing a keyboard into a students school life. I also like the addition of online keyboarding sites. One site that I have seen used to help introduce keyboarding is called Typing Club. It is a free site that takes you through steps to properly type. It is helpful for all students.
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