Summer break is a time for relaxation and fun, but it’s also an opportunity to prevent the “summer slide” by keeping students engaged in educational activities. KeyboardingOnline.com, offers tools to help students build and maintain typing proficiency. Our features, like gamified lessons, customizable courses, and real-time progress tracking, make it ideal for summer learning. Here are six effective strategies to keep students active and motivated with KeyboardingOnline.com during the break.
1. Set Short, Achievable Daily Goals
Typing for long periods can feel overwhelming, especially for younger students. KeyboardingOnline.com’s timed drills, which range from 15 seconds to 5 minutes, are perfect for short practice sessions. Encourage students to complete 15-20 minutes of practice daily, focusing on specific lessons or exercises. For example, the Keyboard Mastery course offers over 560 timed drills, allowing students to work on alphabetic keys, punctuation, or numbers in bite-sized chunks. Set goals like achieving a certain Words Per Minute (WPM) or accuracy rate to keep them motivated. Short sessions help maintain focus and show quick progress, which boosts confidence.
2. Leverage Gamification and Rewards
Kids love games, and KeyboardingOnline.com incorporates engaging elements like badges, trophies, and leaderboards to make typing fun. Encourage students to compete against their own scores or challenge classmates on the platform’s leaderboard feature. For instance, the Keyboarding for Kids program rewards students with praise from animated characters when they meet speed and accuracy goals. Create a summer challenge where students earn points for completing lessons or improving their WPM, with small rewards like extra game time or a treat for reaching milestones. This gamified approach keeps students excited and eager to practice.
3. Use the Blackout Timing View to Build Muscle Memory
One of KeyboardingOnline.com’s standout features is the Blackout Timing View, which hides the text students are typing to discourage “hunting and pecking.” This tool is perfect for summer practice as it forces students to memorize key placements, building muscle memory. Encourage students to use this feature during their daily practice to improve accuracy over speed, especially in the beginning. Pair this with the platform’s animated hand tutorials, which show correct finger placement, to reinforce proper technique. This approach ensures students return to school with stronger typing skills.
4. Incorporate Movement Breaks
Sitting for extended periods can lead to restlessness, particularly for younger learners. To keep students engaged, integrate short movement breaks between KeyboardingOnline.com sessions. For example, after completing a 15-minute lesson, have students do a quick stretch or dance to motivational music. The platform’s short drill format makes it easy to pause and resume. You can also create a “typing station” rotation at home, combining keyboarding with other activities like reading or drawing to keep the experience dynamic and fun.
5. Customize Lessons for Individual Needs
KeyboardingOnline.com allows instructors to create custom lessons tailored to a student’s skill level or interests. For summer practice, personalize content to include vocabulary or themes that excite the student, such as typing sentences about their favorite book or hobby. For students with special needs, the platform offers accessibility features like adjustable font sizes (up to 40 pixels) and compatibility with screen readers, ensuring everyone can participate. Customizing lessons keeps the content relevant and engaging, encouraging consistent practice.
6. Encourage Parental Involvement and Progress Tracking
Parents play a key role in keeping students motivated over the summer. Encourage parents to watch the “Six S.E.C.R.E.T. Keyboarding Techniques” video with their child and discuss the importance of proper posture and finger placement. Celebrating small wins, like completing a lesson or improving accuracy, keeps students motivated.
Bonus Tip: Make It a Family Challenge
Turn keyboarding into a fun family activity by having everyone use KeyboardingOnline.com. Parents and siblings can use the “Free Form” section in the programs to improve their own typing skills while competing with the student. Set up a family leaderboard or try the “nickel test” (balancing a coin on the hand to ensure proper typing form) for some lighthearted competition. This not only reinforces the student’s practice but also makes learning a shared experience.
Conclusion
KeyboardingOnline.com’s web-based platform, with its gamified drills, customizable lessons, and accessibility features, is an excellent tool for keeping students engaged over the summer. By setting achievable goals, leveraging rewards, using features like Blackout Timing View, incorporating movement, personalizing content, and involving parents, you can ensure students stay active and improve their typing skills. These strategies not only prevent summer learning loss but also prepare students for academic success in the fall. Start a free 60-day trial at KeyboardingOnline.com and make typing a fun part of your summer!