[school-discuss] [Fwd: Highlighted Fingering (HF) or "Learn in Color" Keyboard and KTouch]

[Doug Loss <drloss@suscom.net>]

Phil Collins wrote:

> Low tech open source:  Highlighted Fingering (HF) or "Learn in Color"
> Keyboards
>
> I use pastel colored felt-tip highlighters to mark the fingering
> patterns on the key-tops of my keyboards.  One alternate highlight
> color is sufficient for striping; five for one color per finger.
> Clean the keys first, if necessary.
>
> This makes it easier for me to type.  I suggest schools use the
> highlighted fingering (HF) keyboards, or "Learn in Color" keyboards
> as a way to help children (and adults)learn to type, and type after
> learning.
>
> At COMPUSA I saw a keyboard with color-molded keys in the fingering
> pattern for about $25.  I figured I could do similar at home for much
> less with highlighters on the key-tops.
>
> One of the charter schools in Washington, DC, that lost its charter
> on review was accused, among other things, of having numerous
> students who did not know how to touch-type.  (BTW No regular public
> school in DC has lost its "charter", regardless of educational
> outcomes, or lack of touch typing by its studens!)  Highlighted
> fingering (HF) or "Learn in Color" keyboards could have helped, I
> like to think.
>
> KTouch, a KDE touch-typing program uses a screen displaying a color
> higlighted keys.  KTouch would work well with HF/"Learn in Color"
> [you chose what name you like] keyboards.
>
> http://edu.kde.org/ktouch/
> KTouch is a program for learning touch typing. KTouch is a way to
> learn to type on a keyboard quickly and correctly. Every finger has
> its place on the keyboard with associated keys to press.
>
> KTouch helps you learn to touch typing by providing you with
> something to write. KTouch can also help you to remember what fingers
> to use.
>
> Please see the main KTouch site at http://ktouch.sourceforge.net.
> [Which has a full-color screen of highlighted keyboard fingering
> patterns -
> Learn in color!]
>
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--
Doug Loss                 All I want is a warm bed
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