Education system out of touch

So I am working to get my son started in High School next year. On the paperwork it tells me that all 9th graders will be enrolled in a required credit course, keyboarding, to teach them to type.

Yes I do believe the Walton County School District is a bit out of touch.

Is this new? We didn't have to do this.

Kids type better than their parents..........access to the internet, texting,,,........let's teach them something they need to know....like reading.

Big difference in familiarity w/ computers/texting and touch typing for speed and accuracy.

I had a required high school typing class and had to actually work so I didn't get a B, despite years of programming and computing experience!

Despite widespread internet use and texting I bet a good secretary can still leave those kids in the dust and it makes a big difference when writing term papers etc.

Big difference in familiarity w/ computers/texting and touch typing for speed and accuracy.

I had a required high school typing class and had to actually work so I didn't get a B, despite years of programming and computing experience!

Despite widespread internet use and texting I bet a good secretary can still leave those kids in the dust and it makes a big difference when writing term papers etc.

100% correct--how many times this year will I say that on the heels of a SB44 post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your knowledge spans the generations.

Is this new? We didn't have to do this.

They tell me that they are using it to meet a computer requirement. Who knows. I was required to take typing when I was in school, and later was happy I was made to do it. But I did not hang out every night banging on a typewriter like kids do today. And yes there is a proper way to type, but I have seen little interest in correcting behaviour already learned. Keyboarding should be taught a lot sooner than the 9th grade. I am hoping that there is more to this class than just practicing typing for a semester.

I think we had a required typing class for one semester, then could take a computer science class for the 2nd credit instead of a 2nd typing/secretarial type class. Memory is a bit fuzzy as to just what a 2nd typing class entailed because that was back when the only color that showed on the screen was green and all the computers were apple 2s.

Do not know about high school, but at Gulf Coast CC the keyboarding class is much more than typing.
Speaking as an English tutor, I wish every student had keyboarding/computer skills. They need it for Research papers, and all the English instructors expect them to know how to format and present a paper in MLA style. The computer skill makes it much easier--the student who does not have the skill starts 'way behind the one who is proficient...

and there is a big difference in just knowing how to type, and knowing how to use a computer to set up a research paper or an essay in MLA format.

So I am working to get my son started in High School next year. On the paperwork it tells me that all 9th graders will be enrolled in a required credit course, keyboarding, to teach them to type.

Yes I do believe the Walton County School District is a bit out of touch.

Big difference in familiarity w/ computers/texting and touch typing for speed and accuracy.

I had a required high school typing class and had to actually work so I didn't get a B, despite years of programming and computing experience!

Despite widespread internet use and texting I bet a good secretary can still leave those kids in the dust and it makes a big difference when writing term papers etc.

Do not know about high school, but at Gulf Coast CC the keyboarding class is much more than typing.
Speaking as an English tutor, I wish every student had keyboarding/computer skills. They need it for Research papers, and all the English instructors expect them to know how to format and present a paper in MLA style. The computer skill makes it much easier--the student who does not have the skill starts 'way behind the one who is proficient...

and there is a big difference in just knowing how to type, and knowing how to use a computer to set up a research paper or an essay in MLA format.

There is nothing more frustrating to me than watching a thoroughly-educated person hunt and peck to type a simple document because they don't know where to put their fingers on a keyboard.

Kids who type/text emails also use a shorthand that would not be acceptable in the business world. I get a LOT of emails, Facebook messages, and texts from kids, and their spelling (despite spell-check) and typos make me want to puke. (SoWal kids are excluded from this indictment, by the way.) Kids also use predictive text on phones, which is a whole other ballgame.

When I took keyboarding in high school, it was on a typewriter. Even so, I learned a ton about formatting that I'm using right this second. As Goodwitch says, they learn a lot more than just how to type on a QWERTY keyboard.

I'm in my final semesters of graduate school, and I have to take a computer technology class. It's a pain in the rear and (to some folks' way of thinking) a waste of $900. Even so, it's a good excuse for me to catch up on the tons of things I don't know.

I want them to learn keyboarding and reading and spelling and grammar and message development.

I am distressed that any high school in the U. S. is graduating a student who can not read or write a coherent sentence with the , and ;'s in the correct place.

This does a disservice to the student and to society in general.

Thank God the FCAT is losing its appeal...I wish every parent and every elected official could be forced to grade some of the papers I see every day...maybe then the parents would insist on a better education system for their children and the elected officials would no longer be able to pass such things as the FCAT.

Thank God the FCAT is losing its appeal...I wish every parent and every elected official could be forced to grade some of the papers I see every day...maybe then the parents would insist on a better education system for their children and the elected officials would no longer be able to pass such things as the FCAT.

FCAT was passed as an attempt to measure progress in the education system. As usual, unintended consequences have given skewed results. Do you a suggestion for something that might work?

FCAT was passed as an attempt to measure progress in the education system. As usual, unintended consequences have given skewed results. Do you a suggestion for something that might work?

I have lots of ideas--probably too involved for a message board. But, the FCAT--at least the way it has been implemented--has, IMO, forced the teachers to "teach the test" and as a result the students have become process oriented. They do not know how to think critically--because that is not easily tested by a question on a standard test; they can not write a coherent essay, because that does not count on FCAT, so they are taught to "write five paragraphs".

I would prefer a more holistic approach to education. More Liberal Arts...prepare the individual to think for himself, to communicate effectively, and encourage the student to be curious. I also think the teachers need to have more freedom to work with the students as they see fit--this, of course, assumes the teachers are qualified.

When I had my business I always hired people who are independent minded, who could think for themselves, and who were excited about the job. I could train them to do the process...I needed them to be curious and excited in order to deliver the best product. I know you are running for School Board, perhaps we could explore this more in depth sometime. There are many bright students out there who are being completely "dumbed down" by the process in place right now. It makes me crazy!

There are many bright students out there who are being completely "dumbed down" by the process in place right now. It makes me crazy!

I agree with you. Instead of teaching it seems a lot of time is spent practicing. Seems all that the kids do is complete worksheets. My son complains constantly, up until FCAT, about the mind numbing work that he is assigned. Now they are making FCAT later in the year. So are we going to see more worksheets?

Mr Robert (not the movie, although one of my favs) When are daugter was at this point we home schooled her an she went to OWC. The state flipped the bill except books. She will have her 2 year degree before she turns 17. So screw the typing and inroll her In English Comp 101 Etc. Just My opinion. If there are driving issues then find someone he can ride with. I don't know if your in SoWal or NoWal but we can't wait for the south campus to be open.

From my personal observation, the keyboarding class is an important component in a student's education. Perhaps you could review the curriculum and some of the lesson plans for this class. That might set your mind at ease.

There is nothing more frustrating to me than watching a thoroughly-educated person hunt and peck to type a simple document because they don't know where to put their fingers on a keyboard.

I can hunt & peck 60 words per minute. I've got really lousy manual dexterity and have never been able to touch type without looking at the keyboard. What speed I have all came from spending a lot of time in AOL chat rooms in the early-mid 90s.

I dive off the PC at 9:00 p.m. last night and look what happens. Dang!

But, like jdarg said, our current 9th graders aren't having to take this. I want to say it was offered at the middle school, but SS didn't take it. Perhaps it's a new requirement?

It would be useful, though - you know, there are still some employers (for example, mine) who require 35 words a minute, and test new applicants on a keyboard before offering an interview.

Not familiar with the local keyboarding class, but in my daugher's HS, it was a requirement and as Scooter said there was much more to it, than just the hunt and peck many kids use on their computer and texting.

There is proper use of the keyboard, as in being able to type without looking the keys. There was correct use of the software such as Word and Powerpoint and Excel. They were required to a Powerpoint presentation.

Also are you sure that every HS student has had prior access on a regular basis to a computer. The class may be a bore to some but a new learning experience to many.

From my personal observation, the keyboarding class is an important component in a student's education. Perhaps you could review the curriculum and some of the lesson plans for this class. That might set your mind at ease.

That is what I thought. Maybe the problem is with what they are naming the class. Giving me the impression that it is something fairly simple when they actually go more in depth.

Also are you sure that every HS student has had prior access on a regular basis to a computer. The class may be a bore to some but a new learning experience to many.

If it is just keyboarding then there ought to be a way to test out of it. I do not mind the class if he is learning something. But to sit in a class for a semester, and WHS is on block scheduling, is a lot of time that I would hate to see wasted.

Aren't most HS classes rather simply named?

With the exception of adding numbers to differentiate the various levels of language classes, an "AP" or getting specific about which math branch (Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry) none of our classes were called anything interesting or overly descriptive - Gym, Social Studies, Government, or History, Spanish, Home Ec etc.

Aren't most HS classes rather simply named?

With the exception of adding numbers to differentiate the various levels of language classes, an "AP" or getting specific about which math branch (Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry) none of our classes were called anything interesting or overly descriptive - Gym, Social Studies, Government, or History, Spanish, Home Ec etc.

True but Office Technology, Business Systems, something other than just keyboarding if it is in fact something else. Remember they are trying to get these kids to pick majors and take career tracks in the 9th grade. If you want them to act like they are in college, then you need to treat them that way.

My youngest daughter runs the 3200 meter in track, and cross country in the fall....averages 7-9 miles roadwork a day. She has to take a summer school physical education requirement because she did not take gym during the regular school year. I will be paying her 4.00/ gallon commute this summer to the high school for no real reason other than satisfying a requirement crafted by idiots. In the past, varsity sport participation earned you a pass, so tell me this is not insane. Regarding keyboard training requirements, just throw it on the mountain of mandates that takes us from a core curriculum of learning. The state wants our children to be more efficient at typing unintelligible gibberish.

My youngest daughter runs the 3200 meter in track, and cross country in the fall....averages 7-9 miles roadwork a day. She has to take a summer school physical education requirement because she did not take gym during the regular school year. I will be paying her 4.00/ gallon commute this summer to the high school for no real reason other than satisfying a requirement crafted by idiots.

That is crazy. My son is going to try out for basketball and I am told stands a good chance. Now I hear that he will have two blocks of PE a day. There are only four blocks in a day, so now he goes to school to shoot baskets. Well we meet tomorrow and I am making out my list of questions. This is the time of year my wife wishes never happened. She hates it when I ask a bunch of questions.

If it is just keyboarding then there ought to be a way to test out of it. I do not mind the class if he is learning something. But to sit in a class for a semester, and WHS is on block scheduling, is a lot of time that I would hate to see wasted.

I would suggest you check and see. I know her class was very detailed but it was listed as simply Keyboarding.

I think trying to get kids to pick careers that early is a HUGE mistake. I was not an unmotivated kid and still had a great deal of trouble deciding on a college, let alone knowing what major I wanted.

I was sent to visit the college I ended up choosing because my guidance counselor wanted to get rid of me longer and the major & career I chose was a mild interest I had so Mom thought I should go to a college that offered that major "just in case". :rofl:

My high school only differentiated between college (by offering AP classes) and non-college (vo-tech and internship programs) prep and my college refused to let you choose a major until your 1st semester sophomore year because they wanted you to explore your options AND keep them open.

The average student who enters college w/ a declared major will change it 3-5 times. The average student who enters college undeclared only changes 1-2 times. The typical person entering the workforce will have 5-6 different professions before they retire.

IMO a good general education is the way to go to TRULY prepare you for life!