HEB ISD Enhances Third Graders’ Typing Skills with Digital Lessons

Third graders in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (HEB ISD) are developing essential typing skills through a structured keyboarding program. This initiative, which includes daily 10-minute lessons, aims to improve students’ typing accuracy and prepare them for the online State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).

The district’s keyboarding program, now in its third year, has shown promising early results. During a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Holly Norgaard, executive director of curriculum and instruction, shared insights from the program, including data from the web-based platform Typing Club. The program was implemented after each student was provided with a personal device, coinciding with the transition to online testing that introduced new written response questions for students in third through eighth grades.

Norgaard emphasized the necessity of typing instruction in the modern educational landscape, noting that students in third and fourth grades are ready for more advanced skills such as proper finger placement and home key drills. “How many of you remember from your typing class A, S, D, F, J?” she asked, highlighting the importance of foundational skills.

The Typing Club lessons are integrated into the English language arts curriculum, allowing students to engage with short videos, skill drills, and interactive games that prioritize accuracy over speed. Students can also access the program from home via ClassLink, a student portal that consolidates district resources.

Despite the positive engagement, Norgaard reported that average usage remains below the district’s target of 25 hours annually. In the first year, third graders logged approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes, which increased to 7 hours and 10 minutes last school year. Nevertheless, students have met district benchmarks, averaging 13 words per minute with over 90% accuracy. “Two years’ worth of data tells us we’re moving in the right direction,” Norgaard stated, acknowledging the need to balance lesson time with desired outcomes.

HEB ISD adheres to national research guidelines for keyboard instruction, which outline expected typing speeds of 10 to 15 words per minute by third grade, increasing to 30 words per minute or more by fifth grade, all while maintaining a 90% accuracy rate. State learning standards also mandate that by third grade, students demonstrate proper touch keyboarding techniques and ergonomic strategies.

During the meeting, Trustee Chris Brown inquired about plans to extend the Typing Club program to students in higher grades. Norgaard noted that while expanding may require additional software licenses, the district is exploring cost-effective alternatives to assess students’ fluency. Teachers in upper grades can evaluate keyboard comfort through regular classwork and online assessments, making further changes less urgent at this time.

Trustees also suggested improving communication with families regarding home access to the Typing Club. Norgaard acknowledged that outreach efforts have varied across campuses, indicating a need for enhanced consistency.

As HEB ISD continues to refine its keyboarding program, administrators remain focused on fostering typing skills one keystroke at a time, ensuring that students are well-equipped for the demands of digital learning.