Keyboarding Research & Resources

Keyboarding, Reading, Spells (KRS) Validation Study
Ethna R. Reid

Abstract
The major developmental goal of the Keyboarding, Reading, Spelling (KRS) program was to teach reading and language skills to elementary school students by integrating computer assisted instruction with an instructional method which: is superior to existing programs; takes maximum advantage of the computer’s potential; and teaches keyboarding and computer usage skills. The KRS program incorporates systematic instruction in reading criterion referenced mastery tests, and intrinsic motivation. Teachers wishing to implement the KRS program attend a one- to two-day seminar. A pre-post comparison group design was used to assess the KRS program on each of four outcomes (reading, language, keyboarding, and computer operations). Classes from two schools in the Murray City Schools (Utah) were assigned at random to either the treatment or comparison condition. Grades one, three and five from one school and grades two, four, and six from another school received KRS instruction. Results indicated that in the four months of treatment KRS students demonstrated meaningful improvements in the keyboarding and computer operation skills.