Recommendation for a blank Apple keyboard for a kid?

[Architect]

Hi Folks,
    My son knows how to type but likes to hunt and peck, and I want to break him of the habit. I need a Apple compatible blank keyboard, ideally it would be like the stock Apple keyboards or similar (he probably wouldn't like mechanical). Suggestions? Thanks!

[tomten_alle]

Perhaps a keyboard with MX Clear should work? Some say they are a bit like rubber dome keys. Most keyboards work with Mac OS X. I use a HHKB Pro 2 with a Mac and it works great, there are versions of it with blank keys. I can imagine it is not an option due to the prize though. Perhaps the easiest way is to spray paint the keyboard?

[davkol]

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[patrickgeekhack]

Hi Folks,
    My son knows how to type but likes to hunt and peck, and I want to break him of the habit. I need a Apple compatible blank keyboard, ideally it would be like the stock Apple keyboards or similar (he probably wouldn't like mechanical). Suggestions? Thanks!

The question is: Would your son enjoy typing on a blank keyboard? If you force a blank keyboard upon him, and if typing becomes a chore, then he just might rebel. This situation is not much different from getting a child to read. When a child is still very young, he/she loves to flip the pages and look at the pictures, etc. Try to force the same child to liste to an adult reading the content, and the child starts to lose interest. Good Luck.

[Architect]

The question is: Would your son enjoy typing on a blank keyboard? If you force a blank keyboard upon him, and if typing becomes a chore, then he just might rebel. This situation is not much different from getting a child to read. When a child is still very young, he/she loves to flip the pages and look at the pictures, etc. Try to force the same child to liste to an adult reading the content, and the child starts to lose interest. Good Luck.

Thanks but I know what I'm doing, he won't have a problem with it

Perhaps a keyboard with MX Clear should work? Some say they are a bit like rubber dome keys. Most keyboards work with Mac OS X. I use a HHKB Pro 2 with a Mac and it works great, there are versions of it with blank keys. I can imagine it is not an option due to the prize though. Perhaps the easiest way is to spray paint the keyboard?

Like I say he probably wouldn't like mechanical, good ideas though I don't want to DIY

There are some "special" keyboards for learning touch-typing. I've a Fujitsu KB500 (rather cheap low-profile RD) with blank keys, maybe you can find one as well.

There's something on Amazon and they have some stickers as well.

Ah, perfect! That looks good, ordered.

[patrickgeekhack]

Thanks but I know what I'm doing, he won't have a problem with it

Let us know how it goes. My daughter is three. A day will come when I will be going through the same process.

[PixelVandalism]

If only my dad did this for me.

[Architect]

Wow.  Asian dad.

He is a major geek like me, loves spending time on the computer and likes to type, he also is slow to change (he likes his present keyboard) and doesn't touch type because he's not yet as fast as hunt and peck. He also is planning on a career in software like dad and will probably end up there so it's "a little important" for him to learn proper typing.

[patrickgeekhack]

Wow.  Asian dad.

I moved my kid to Buckling Springs (Unicomp Spacesaver) and gave him incentives over the summer to learn to touch type.

What does Asian dad have to do with this thread?

[Architect]

What does Asian dad have to do with this thread?

Probably a reference to "Tiger Mom", Asian driver type parents. If so rather a poor comment in any case, no offense but again I can raise my child, thanks.

[PixelVandalism]

Well VOTE FOR ME THEN......


Oh wait.  It got closed.

Then re-open it, aren't you the keyboard master?

How old is your son?

After spending my whole typing life using "hunt and peck."
Its a real pain for me at the moment trying to learn to touch type, but i'm getting there.
Maybe by my 16th I'll be able to do it.

[patrickgeekhack]

He is a major geek like me, loves spending time on the computer and likes to type, he also is slow to change (he likes his present keyboard) and doesn't touch type because he's not yet as fast as hunt and peck. He also is planning on a career in software like dad and will probably end up there so it's "a little important" for him to learn proper typing.

Have you tried a typing software? Fun and work at the same time?

[PixelVandalism]

Only a lowly subforum moderator or I would.

My son learned to touchtype at kindergarten age using a typing program.  Gave incentives for every level completed.  Started with this trackball at toddler age...
(Attachment Link) 36949[/ATTACH]

Sorry to go off-topic, but how are you only a sub-forum mod with 49 thousand posts?

Also, what are the benefits of trackballs?

[paulcalypse]

I grew up with computers, but failed typing class in 5th or 6th grade. Once I figured out how to use instant messaging on my computer, I learned how to touch type pretty quickly. I don't think I actually found it useful until I started typing long papers in high school. I think it came out of necessity, just as I had to start writing neater when I started teaching.

Wouldn't masking his eyes from the keyboard be a much cheaper alternative? Some kind of box you could put over it...