Sticky keys help students with learning disabilities and varying physical abilities as you don't need both hands as pressing certain keys can enter a combination of sequences. This accessibility feature limits frequent movement for people who cannot hold down more than two keys on the keyboard at the same time.
There is no doubt that accessibility functions like sticky keys support coordination, confidence of expressing the students ideas and the probability of completing work. Typing is often easier than writing by hands. It is common that students with certain challenges, like ADHD and gross/fine/ motor planning skills, do not benefit from assistive technology like speech-to-text and sticky key options right away. Memory issues (remembering where they letters on the keyboards are), spatial challenges (difficulty locating a specific letter or function out of the many options on the board), and attention issues (shifting their focus from typing to writing) can contribute to widening students learning/ achievement gaps if the proper support (time and staff) is not provided for them.
In my personal experience with this, we are definitely moving into a digital age starting from the primary level where many students are loosing the art and proficiency of writing by hand. I have had a student in my class whose parents would prefer they use speech-to- text then an "old fashion" pencil grip because it is quicker and more fun for them to be on the Chromebook. Speaking to other educational assistants, this is a common thought amongst parents whose children are struggling with quick and legible printing going into the intermediate level. In hand manipulation and the skill of picking up a pencil and use the strength/ movement of your wrists and hands is pivotal to practice coordination with small muscle movements and the eyes/ brain. Does typing due the same thing?
My personal and reflective wonderings are: to loose the writing skill and replace it with the typing skill- will anything be lost in the students future moving into adulthood professions? Is this fine motor skill related to any other skills? Should we or why is preserving hand writing and cursive skills important? Is "success" of a persons smarts and opportunity based on the legibility and quickness of ones writing anymore?
What are your experiences with this? Please share :)
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