Touch Typing Important For Everyone

I've learned a lot in my 54 years. I've learned that some things just aren't all that important. I've also learned that some things are more important than I may have thought!

If someone can type very well and is an expert on the computer, what does it matter if he uses the "hunt and peck" technique? (Looking at the keys.) He's comfortable with it, he's efficient, and he's better at computers than anyone else in the family. Is it really worth the discipline to make sure he does all those boring drills? I didn't think all that out in words, but those were the general thoughts...back all those years ago.

So, what happens if that person loses his vision? All of a sudden, typing isn't the easy option that it once was.

I would like to challenge you - anyone reading my post - to please be sure that all of your children become proficient at touch-typing (regardless of how totally sighted they may be today). I would even add, the earlier, the better.

I would also like to share with you a link for a keyboard, which I think might be good at least for those who need to temporarily see which letters and characters are which. I know that companies who deal specifically in materials for visually impaired people have keyboards with large print letters, but I always think it's fascinating when others jump into the game...and I plan to compare this one to other keyboards designed for the same purpose.

Hat tip to my sister Chris for spotting this information and passing it on to me. By the way, she tells me that shopping through QVC is "safe", because they have a reputation to keep.

News of Peter and Paul

News of Peter: We are finally getting settled into our new area, as Friday I took Peter to a homeschool P.E. group. While he joined the other kids, I introduced myself to the instructor (a personal trainer), and told him, "Peter doesn't see very well. He can see to get around, but if you demonstrate something, he might not know what you're doing." He was smiling and nodding confidently. And then I said, "But he doesn't like attention called to his having a vision problem." He was still smiling, and I don't remember what he said next, but I realized then that I hadn't given him any time to think about how to handle this. I'm wondering now why am I still learning how to do this after all these years? Do we ever really get life figured out? However, the instructor handled it superbly. And Peter loved the class, and connected with the new kids.

News of Paul: (As background, for anyone who doesn't know, Paul is the second of my six children to have a vision problem. While Peter suddenly became legally blind five years ago at the age of eight, Paul's vision problem began this past January at the age of 21. He, too, is now legally blind.)

Last week Paul was voted president of the Newman Club on his college campus. I guess he is taking the advice of Our Lord about the leader serving, because a couple days later found him making pasta and baked pears for the group. It doesn't look like Paul's new vision loss is going to hold him back in life!

Teach Typing a Fun Way

I'd like to share with you a friendly, fun typing program designed by and for blind students. It's called Talking Typing Teacher, and it comes from a company called Marvel Soft.

As far as I know, this program is not available from American Printing House, and is not available on federal quota. With federal quota funds, you can borrow a program called Talking Typer from APH. But if you don't have access to federal quota funds, or if you can afford to get something a little more glitzy, Talking Typing Teacher is what I'd recommend! I usually try to recommend economical ways to teach, but I bought this program for Peter when it was a real stretch, and I'm glad that I did.

Talking Typing Teacher uses pre-recorded human speech, including enjoyable characters, Eager Eddie and Clever Karen. It is very student-friendly, and a great way for your student to learn to type!

If you are buying the program for your home, Marvel Soft charges $99.95 plus $5.00 shipping.