computerdisc-l: More on Speedskins

[Catherine Patton <cbp@sunherald.infi.net>]

Hello, Everyone

Elouise and I found another resource for keyboarding speedskins.  They
are an opaque orange color with a raised bump on the f and j keys for
easy positioning of hands on the home row.  The number row is also
covered, but not the numeric keypad nor arrow keys.  The skins are not
permanently attached to the keyboards and one size is supposed to fit
all computers.  If you order 1-25 covers, the price is $7.99 each, but
if you order 26 or more, the price is $7.49 each.  Add 10% for
shipping/handling.  The source is:

SUNBURST Communications
101 Castleton Street
PO Box 100
Pleasantville, NY  10570

Toll-Free Order #:  1-800-321-7511
24 Hour Fax:    1-914-747-4109
www.SUNBURST.com

We have been using very small stickers colored black to cover keys, but
the stickers can be picked off and eventually wear off, especially
during hot, humid weather, when students' hands are sweaty.  We put the
stickers on from day1 of school and have had a much higher success rate
at meeting the 30 nwpm competency this year than in years past.  We have

only recently purchased the speed skins but students who have tried them

do not seem to be adversely affected by them as far as speed is
concerned.  Those who learned how to touch type at the beginning of the
year when they were supposed to can still touch type, and those who
insisted on doing it their way or who didn't bother to learn the
keyboard still struggle.  We have also told them that if they mark on
the skins with a pencil or pen, or try to stick a hole in them with a
pencil point, that they will have to pay the replacement cost.  So far,
so good.

Cathy Patton
Gautier Middle School
cbp@sunherald.infi.net