User's Manual

170
NEO
User Manual
K EYW ORDS SMARTA PPLET
Frequently Asked Questions
. . . . .
that are next to each other to press two keys that are next to each other in a
left-to-right motion; this is a kinesthetic pattern. The action results in a word,
as, which is also part of many other words, like fast; so as is also a linguistic
pattern. Learning the kinesthetic pattern generates a linguistic pattern.
On the right side of the home row keys, there are no short words to teach.
However, if a student types as on the left side and then adds a k, the student
has typed ask: all flowing left to right—a kinesthetic pattern—and all forming
a word—a linguistic pattern. Similarly, by typing all, the student is introduced
to another right-side home row letter in a fully patterned manner.
Students learn the ASKL keys first because these letters are part of the home
row and they can be combined to form words. When new letters are added,
they are incorporated within kinesthetic and linguistic patterns. Such
patterning makes learning to touch-type very efficient and enjoyable.
What is the rationale for how the practice passages are sequenced?
Practice passages adhere to two important principles:
• Patterned words are repeated enough times to build up a rhythm and
fluency that then transfers to typing the word within a phrase or sentence
where it is not repeated.
• Passages progress from simpler to more complex phrase and sentence
patterns.
When the phrase and sentence patterning combines with the linguistic
patterning, student typing develops in an almost effortless manner.
Why aren’t my test scores updated when I retake an accuracy and speed
builder test in KeyWords?
Your test scores are only updated if both the words-per-minute score and the
accuracy (number of errors) improve. If only one score improves, the test
scores are not updated. For example:
Original test scores: 48 words per minute, 5 errors
Test 2 scores: 42 words per minute, 3 errors—scores are not updated
because you typed fewer words per minute.
Test 3 scores: 50 words per minute, 6 errors—scores are not updated
because you have more errors.
Test 4 scores: 50 words per minute with 3 errors—scores are updated
because both scores improved.