Designing a Better Keyboard for Touch Type Mastery

KeyMaster® Keyboarding has spent a great deal of time and effort in discovering how to make a keyboard that better serves the needs of emerging typists.  We've outlined some of the key features of our keyboards and the role each plays in improving touch type mastery.  Read on!

 

The Problem

What's the difference between a student who types 60+ WPM and 20 WPM?  If a student is not mastering the keyboard it is most likely because they have developed the nasty habit of looking at their fingers instead of memorizing the keys.  Teachers can try to discourage this by using no peek covers or skins to hide the keys or other similar methods, but each method has its own flaws, and none seem to be the perfect solution . . . UNTIL NOW!

Our Solution

Show/Hide Keys
The KeyMaster® Learning Lights Keyboard comes equipped with one little button that is a major game changer.  LIGHTS!  As students focus on keyboard mastery, teachers may choose appropriate times in their instruction for "Lights Out" practice.  When keyboard lighting is turned off, students can test their knowledge of the keyboard by blacking out key characters, effectively eliminating their ability to look at the keyboard to find a key. A computer teacher can appreciate how truly wonderful this feature would be to have in the classroom as they teach key memorization.  Genius, we know!

Teachers will find that students will often black out their keyboards without even being asked.  In fact, your students will love this feature and use it often! They think it's fun to test their skill and prove their abilities on the keyboard.

Curved Key Surfaces

Many of us have had the misfortune of typing on keyboards with very flat keys.  Did your fingers feel a little disoriented because they didn't know where they were supposed to rest?  The current trend in computer keyboards is flat.  That is NOT what our students need!  Keyboarding is a skill learned by touch.  The simple curvature of each computer key helps students to know that their fingers are on the center of each key and in the correct position.  Such a small thing, but this is critical to keyboarding mastery!  Our Learning Lights Keyboards feature curved keys and a deeper strike so that students can feel confident with every stroke of the key.