Education


ergonomic mice designed for smaller hands, and colourful, large button keyboards. Te latter can be an immensely useful tool as by highlighting different groups of keys such as vowels, consonants, commands and functions, it makes the keys memorable and so assists in programming the brain to learn the layout. As children progress


through school and into secondary education, it is unlikely they will continue to need the large button, multi-coloured keyboards. However, there are more choices available than simply graduating to a corporate, full-size keyboard. It is important to offer the student options: for example, a student may find it easier to use an ergonomic keyboard or to change out their computer mouse for a trackball. It is


likely that in this age of technology students have used a touchscreen before as the interface dominates the portable devices we use. As they’re likely used to swiping and dragging to interact with their technology, some students may prefer a trackpad instead of a mouse. Tese can be integrated directly in to the keyboard for ease of use and provides an easier gateway to transition from phone use to desktop use. For students with disabilities, learning how to use a keyboard


and mouse can have additional difficulties; students who struggle with their dexterity may have trouble pressing the intended keys, visually impaired people can have trouble interpreting the layout, and students with mobility issues may be unable to use a keyboard and mouse at all. While designing a product to combat these issues can be a logistically difficult task, assisting users with disabilities is an incredibly important aspect of being a keyboard and mouse manufacturer and has led to several innovative designs in the industry. Te Royal National Institute of Blind People found that using


black on bright yellow creates the highest visibility, while black on white creates the highest contrast. Tese precise contrast ratios are proven to assist the messaging between the eyes and the brain and are used in everything from motorway signs to construction sites. For educational purposes, these contrast ratios have been used to design brain-friendly, large button, visually assistive keyboards. Optional metal keyguards can be placed over the keyboards preventing mis-types and slips, which can help a student with who struggles with precision. Programmable


keyboard technology www.pcr-online.biz


is becoming more and more popular in education, due to its flexibility in function. Students who are unable to use a standard keyboard can use a programmable input device such as a mounted foot pedal or switches. Tese use the same technology as a keyboard but can be pre-programmed to suit the students bespoke needs, and mounted wherever is easiest for them to physically access. Programmable keyboards have many uses in education besides in assistive technology, such as enabling students to devise their own shortcuts in media suites and computer programming classes. Even programming the keyboard itself gives students an – albeit simple – chance to experiment with programming and coding, and the open-endedness of what can be done with the unit is a springboard for the imagination. As a manufacturer of peripherals, one of the most important


aspects to remember is to keep the technology affordable. Computer peripherals designed for use in schools need to reflect that in the cost, otherwise it renders the product unattainable. Te technology used in a typical keyboard is somewhat simple, which means that by making changes to other aspects such as the colour of the casing or colour of the keys, you can add an assistive element to a keyboard while maintaining the cost. Tis also applies to programmable keyboards; although the technology isn’t much more advanced than that of a regular keyboard, by enabling it to be programmed by the user and incorporating it into an assistive casing - such as a foot pedal or mounted switch - it’s creating an entirely new assistive product. Ultimately, keeping the cost of educational technology affordable is the single most important thing. Going forward, it’s likely that keyboards in education will


continue evolving to meet the needs of all students. Te success of peripherals such as large button keyboards and high visibility keys proves that keyboards are not a ‘one size fits all’ technology and has led to many innovative designs. As a manufacturer, it is imperative that we research how our educational products are used, as well as hearing first hand feedback from our users about their comfort of use and what advances they would like to see. Teaching students how to use a keyboard and interact with


their device is one of the most useful skills they can learn, and it’s important that all children – regardless of ability – acquire this ability. Over the last few decades, keyboards and mice have established themselves as the easiest and most universal method of interacting with a digital environment, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.


May/June 2024 | 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52