While traditional drill and practice materials using home row keys eventually moves on to words, it takes a long time in the view of many students with disabilities I have worked with over the years. I typically evaluate students for keyboarding skills by calling out letters and observing their response. I also ask students to type the alphabet from memory and then some words at their reading level. As students are able to generate text that is meaningful to them and relates to the curriculum, the proficiency and ease of keyboarding increases. AZ 85719 Students begin learning to type by copying words on cards.
Every attempt is made to use spelling words or words at their reading level.
From single words, students move on to sentences and paragraphs again using curriculum materials as much as possible. Carry over of skills to all situations and teaming with teachers is so important. It may mean some changes attitudes and beliefs to assure that the student gets to use the skill within the context of his her academic day. It is expected that the student will hand write during certain tasks. Sometimes the student is limited in using the computer by the way it is used in the classroom.