Easy Learn keyboards to revolutionise learning to type
Easy Learn keyboards to revolutionise learning to type |
| Monday, 22 February 2010 12:45 |
| LEARNING to type no longer has to be a drawn out process, thanks to a new invention. A keyboard with a revolutionary ABC design, which incorporates both upper case and lower case letters, is taking the stress out of learning to type.
The Easy Learn keyboards are the brainchild of Peter Crawford from The Logical Learning Company in Melbourne. He came up with the design after watching his young sons Keith and Eric attempt to use a traditional QWERTY keyboard. Mr Crawford realised that not only were his sons having difficulty finding letters in the QWERTY layout, they were also struggling to identify the capital letters because they had been introduced to lower case letters and sounds. After further research, he found that 11 of the 26 lower case letters of the alphabet do not even resemble the upper case letters which are found on traditional keyboards. People of all ages have found the keyboard easier to use.Alby Ashley, a 74-year-old retiree, said he became very frustrated trying to use a traditional QWERTY keyboard. “I used to avoid using the computer,†Mr Ashley admitted. However, after being introduced to the Easy Learn keyboard, he now uses his computer for an average of two hours a day. “It’s great for senior people. I’m no longer frightened of typing,†Mr Ashley said. Now he uses the computer to email friends and keep abreast of news on the Internet. “It’s become very handy to be able to email people back and forth,†he said. “That’s not something I was confident doing before I had the (Easy Learn) keyboard.†Jacqui Mainland was also astonished at how quickly her three children Callum, 14, Bethany, 12, and Travis, 8, became proficient using the keyboard. “They picked it up so quickly and they love using it,†she said. “I think they’re a great idea.†Cricketing great and former teacher Mike Hussey is also excited about the Easy Learn keyboard. Mr Hussey believes it will increase a child’s ability to use a computer while reinforcing the alphabet. “It’s a fantastic new innovation to help kids learn how to master the keyboard a lot easier than the old QWERTY style,†he said. “As a parent and a former teacher I’m always interested in new and innovative ways to help kids to learn how to type. When I was at school, I found I had to do hours and hours of typing classes – I found it very difficult to master the keyboard and if we had something like this when I was a kid, I would have enjoyed my typing much more and I probably would have found it much easier.†Mr Crawford said it made sense to replace the QWERTY layout, which was developed 135 years ago. “ABC keyboards are the way of the future,†he said. Mr Crawford has been delighted his invention is helping people gain confidence with typing and his two boys love using it. For more information visit www.abckeyboards.com More information about Easy Learn Keyboards The QWERTY computer keyboard layout was actually designed 135 years ago to slow typists so they wouldn’t jam typewriter levers. Modern society is moving away from this keyboard layout as it is no longer relevant and hasn’t been since the demise of the typewriter. A few examples of technologies moving away from the outdated layout are mobile phone keypads, telephone keypads and GPS systems. Children are taught from a young age to read from left to right and from top to bottom. Therefore, it makes no sense to use the jumbled QWERTY keyboard. The logical ABC format on the Easy Learn keyboard makes it much easier for beginners to find the letters. The keys have both upper and lower case letters on each key, which makes it easier for young children to identify letters. The layout also makes it easier for people with a disability or the elderly to learn how to use a computer. For more information visit www.abckeyboards.com Media Contacts |