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    Should young kids start with Colemak or QWERTY?

    • Started by FearedBliss
    • 6 Replies:
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 04-Nov-2009
    • Posts: 23

    I love Colemak (typing at 70-80 wpm) and I believe that everyone should start on this layout. After having various debates with a few intellectual friends, I was basically convinced that people should learn QWERTY since it's the standard, and then after they can defend themselves on QWERTY, they then can learn about the benefits Colemak and switched to it if so desired.

    Another reason they gave me is that not everyone is as technical as me. Normal people don't want to have to worry about switching layouts, they might not even know how to do that. So learning the standard is another plus.

    What do you guys think about this because I really would want to start my young kid on Colemak (When I do have kids.. I'm 19 atm).

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,394

    My kids know about "daddy's layout"  :)  and they use it whenever they're hogging my computer. I haven't actively trained them, but for young people it seems to be no problem switching around a little. Once they learn touch typing, I'd love to see them learn both layouts (and use Colemak on their own computers!) and I think they shouldn't have a lot of trouble doing it. But I won't force it on them.

    Last edited by DreymaR (01-Nov-2010 10:51:41)

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    • Registered: 05-Jan-2010
    • Posts: 91

    There is no definitive answer, but from my experience:

    I'm Swedish but my mother is Finnish. My mother taught me a little Finnish when I was a kid; in fact, she spoke mostly Finnish with me. When I started school and all the other kids were speaking Swedish I wanted to speak Swedish with my mother too, so I pretended I didn't understand Finnish whenever she tried. I just shouted "Prata svenska!" (speak Swedish.) So she stopped speaking Finnish with me.

    And that is one of my biggest regrets in my life.

    Things are so easy to learn when you're small, and I could have been trilingual by now. I could have spoken the same language half of my relatives speak. I really wish I knew Finnish, but I don't. And it will take hell of a long time to learn it now, given that I have time for such a thing when I'm done studying.

    I don't really have any kind of point here, just want to give you the kids possible feelings about such a thing.

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    • Registered: 04-Nov-2009
    • Posts: 23

    I definitely understand what you mean kqr. I'm bilingual but those are actually the only Spanish was the only language being spoke in my household. I learned English from school, and Spanish at home. I'm basically dominant in both. I also agree that is easier for kids to learn things and that is exactly why I do want to teach it to them. But I also have to agree with Drey, I can't force it upon my kids or anyone, it's like forcing your religion on your kids because that's what you believe. It's best to just let them grow up, and let your kids be aware that you are *w/e your religion or keyboard layout*. Once they get to a mature age, you can give them more information.

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    • Registered: 21-Apr-2010
    • Posts: 818

    When thinking about layouts, you have to look at it from an international perspective,  Qwerty may be popular but it isn't the only layout.

    Sounds like you like the idea of an international layout,  but I'm not sure if such a layout exists.  The number pad is probably the closest you'd get.

    --
    Physicians deafen our ears with the Honorificabilitudinitatibus of their heavenly Panacaea, their sovereign Guiacum.

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    • From: Rajapalayam, TN, India
    • Registered: 30-Jan-2008
    • Posts: 24

    Personally, I think everyone can start with qwerty and switch to colemak only when necessary. I came to colemak because my job required heavy typing, but have never thought I should've learned colemak first. There are numerous situations where I have to use qwerty (troubleshooting friend's computers, etc). Btw, colemak is my primary layout in both my primary PC/OS for the past two years or so.

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    • Registered: 08-Dec-2010
    • Posts: 656

    Before 18, kids are greatly influenced by peers and standards imposed by society. Therefore, I think that parents should let kids learn Qwerty touch typing to get some proper train first. That will impress their friends and help them build their self-confidence, that they can do things.

    After they reach puberty and about to be a grown up adults, then you may show them other alternative layouts and let them choose to stay with Qwerty or start their switch to another layout.

    The decision should be theirs, not ours.

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