From the Desk of a Computer Teacher

When a group of my grade 10 learners approached me and asked if I could teach them how to type, I responded with, “Sure, why not?” Looking back now, I can tell you a list of reasons to not teach typing class, there was no designated time to teach typing, there were only six computers and forty-two grade 10 learners, half of the computer wires had been chewed to ruin by mice, and I would have to assemble and disassemble the computers every day. But my grade 10 learners were consistent, and begged me to teach them how to type, and I promised them as soon as term 3 began they would begin typing class. I began by assembling all the computers to make sure they all worked. They didn't, a mouse had been eaten to smithereens by... a mouse, I couldn't find a plug for another, a keyboard's space bar would not work, a monitor didn't have a cable... we ended up down a computer... to five. Five computers for forty-two learners who all wanted to be taught how to type. The next item was figuring out a time to teach. After talking to the principal, he happily agreed to allow me to teach the students the hour before school (7:00-8:00), during lunch (10:00-11:00), and after the last bell rang (14:00-15:00). I then went into breaking the groups up into these three slots for the three days that I'm in school (for those of you who don't know, I'm split between a school and a municipality). Then I downloaded RapidTyper, a typing program that tracks each student's progress, as well as allows me to create my own typing lessons. Lastly, I downloaded and bought a few games, so when the lesson finished, my students could play some games, and become better at using a mouse and other keys not needed in typing.

As the first day of typing class rolled around, I started setting up the five computers and nervously wondered if my learners would actually show up. At 7:00 my first five students came in, excited to start typing class. I gave them all their “contract” stating that if they missed more than three classes they would not be allowed to return to class, and their seat would be given to a grade 12 learner. I began by asking each of them if they knew how to turn on the computer. They all quickly said yes.... and turned on the button... for the monitor. I explained that there are two power buttons on the computers, and showed them the other one. I then asked them if they could show me the mouse. They all picked the correct item, but when I asked them to use it, I soon realized that each student was on a different playing field. One student could identify the RapidTyping icon, and clicked on it, while another clicked excessively on the scrolling button, and even others didn't know how to control the curser with the mouse. After explaining how to use a mouse, we all got the RapidTyping program. I then showed them the F and J keys, and how they must always have their pointer finger on those two keys. Another problem, the names of our fingers did not translate. I changed over to numbers, left pinky: 1, left ring finger: 2, middle finger: 3, pointer finger:4, thumb... and so on. I told them how to place their fingers, and to use your THUMB for the space bar. As they began typing 'fj fj fj jf jf jf...' I would walk around the room and help guide their correct fingers onto the correct key. I also began to feel like a broken record “finger 4 for f, finger 3 for j!” After going through the lesson five times, I could see they were beginning to get it. They were using the correct finger for the correct key, and their speed was increasing. After the 8^th time, I told them they could play a game on the computer, but they all declined, and continued to type 'df df df kj kj kj.' When the bell rang, I told them they HAD to get off the computer and go to class, and that they could pick up where they left off next Monday. They all thanked me, and left. This continued eight more times throughout the rest of the week, eight more lessons of “Finger 5 for j! You need to use all your fingers to type!” Two more days of assembling and disassembling the computers, 8 more hours of typing class, 37 more students, and countless times of saying “use your thumb for the space bar, not your finger.” But after the last computer was put back in a box, and back into storage, I realized that every student was a little better, and other students were now asking me to teach them how to type, as well as teachers. 

Now that a few weeks have passed, I have students who come during whatever free break they have, and are achieving “champion” levels on the program. I've also talked to two of my grade 10 learners, and asked them if they want to later teach the grade 9 learners next year. Neither of them hesitated before saying yes. They now come to every typing lesson (without my asking) to help teach their grade 10 peers. A few of my grade 7 learners come and wait like vultures to see if anyone is absent and scramble to grab their computer first to learn how to type.

There are hiccups in this business of teaching computer typing. I did drop one of the hard drives while unpacking one of the computers, so we are down to four. A few students who weren't interested did drop out, but were happily replaced by eager grade 12 learners. Students do get frustrated, spacebars stop working, computers freeze, chairs break, and the power does unexpectedly go out. But at the end of the day, typing class is successful, because my students knew they needed it, and asked for it.