Keyboarding for Kindergarten

1
Keyboarding for Kindergarten

• As children are learning their letters, they can
  also learn recognition of those letters on the
  keyboard and learn what hand is used to input
  those letters.

2
Introduction

• Concept (why and what)
• User Definition (who)
• Quality Assurance and User Testing

3
Concept

• 5 year olds can develop logical search strategies
  for locating individual keys1
• Keyboarding is simply another method for
  communicating their ideas.
• 1 Rosengrant, T. (1985). Using the
  microcomputer as a tool to read and write.
• 
  Journal of Learning Disabilities, 18, pp
  113-115

4
Goals

• Recognize the letters on the keyboard and use
  the correct hand to strike the key.
• Engage children in learning

5
Possible Solutions
6
Objectives

• Make the learning effective, fun and appropriate
  for this age group.
• What is available for this concept?
• What is age appropriate?
• What makes learning effective?

7
User Research

• Target Audience 5 year old children
• Can copy simple geometric patterns
• Know colors
• Beginning to learn to print letters
• Can differentiate between fantasy and reality
• Can spend ½ hour on computer but will spend more
  time if having fun

8
Feature Value Analysis

• What features are needed and how they should
  operate to ensure an enjoyable and effective
  learning session?
• Easily learned icons (recognition)
• Large and consistent icons

9
Feature Value Research

• Offer different levels of difficulty
• Use audio and visual aids to offer help.
• After initial guidance, children should be able
  to operate the software essentially on their own.
  
• Printing should be possible.
• childrenandcomputers.com
• Selecting Developmentally Appropriate Software

10
The Practice Process
11
Mastery

• Items (Letters) are generated randomly (shuffle)
• 6 letters are released at a time
• 2 correct answers on first try Mastery
• the item (letter) will not reappear in this level
• When all items have been mastered, the level has
  been completed

12
Iterative Testing

• Quality Assurance - The Nitty Gritty
• Platforms
• Algorithm Checks
• Buttons
• Navigation, Animation timing
• Print, Sound
• Are the Letters the Correct Colors?
• Quality
  Assurance Evaluation Plan pdf 100kb

13
MORE Iterative Testing

• User Testing Adults and Children
• Formal and Informal Observation
• Day Care Centers
• Cobb County Public Schools
• Hearing Impaired
• Color Deficiency http//colorfilter.wickline.or
  g/
• 
  User Test Plan pdf 178kb

14
Future Features

• Student personalization
• Save state to return to the game
• Random animations keep it exciting
• Retrieve data to use it in a meaningful manner
• Add more difficulty levels
• Flash cards and learning sheets
• Other related activities Swat
  Board

15
Lets Play!

• Keyseeker.org