{"id":19251,"date":"2022-11-03T17:14:04","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T17:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/?page_id=19251"},"modified":"2024-12-13T10:57:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T10:57:05","slug":"choosing-the-right-keyboard","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/send-it\/developing-keyboard-skills\/choosing-the-right-keyboard\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the right keyboard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to choose the most suitable keyboard for the child\u2019s individual needs. A wide range of keyboards are available with larger keys, lower case keys, high contrast keys to provide an alternative to the standard keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Larger keyboards:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These have a really simple layout as there are no function keys. They are ideal as an introduction to typing and for children with fine motor difficulties. Available in uppercase or lowercase with either black and white or coloured keys.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"161\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured-300x161.png\" alt=\"A white computer keyboard with different coloured keys\" class=\"wp-image-19252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured-640x344.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured-768x412.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured-800x429.png 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-coloured.png 842w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"107\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys-300x107.png\" alt=\"Computer keyboard with larger keys than usual\" class=\"wp-image-19253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys-300x107.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys-640x229.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys-768x275.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys-800x286.png 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/keyboard-larger-keys.png 997w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Visibility keyboards:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are robust, standard keyboards with extra-large and clear print making the keys easier to see. Available in either uppercase or lowercase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"406\" height=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-01.jpg 406w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-01-300x118.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 406px) 100vw, 406px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"449\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-02.jpg 449w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2024\/12\/keyboards-higher-visibility-02-300x95.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 449px) 100vw, 449px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compact keyboards:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These have a really simple layout as there are no function keys. They are ideal as an introduction to typing and for children with fine motor difficulties. Available in uppercase or lowercase with either black and white or coloured keys. These are smaller sized keyboards which are easier to position. They can be useful if a pupil types predominantly with one hand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-small-300x193.png\" alt=\"Photograph of a small compact keyboard\" class=\"wp-image-19255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-small-300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-small-640x412.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-small.png 670w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upper\/lower case keyboards:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are keyboards with both upper and lower case printed on the keys \u2013 can be useful but maybe too cluttered for some children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-upper-and-lower-case-300x196.png\" alt=\"Image of a larger than normal keyboard with multi-coloured keys\" class=\"wp-image-19256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-upper-and-lower-case-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-upper-and-lower-case-640x419.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Keyboard-upper-and-lower-case.png 732w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Useful links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rm.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">www.rm.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tts-group.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">www.tts-group.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">www.amazon.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">www.ebay.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scott Lowther, Advisory Teacher for ICT\/SEND <a href=\"mailto:scott.lowther@devon.gov.uk\">scott.lowther@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is important to choose the most suitable keyboard for the child\u2019s individual needs. A wide range of keyboards are available with larger keys, lower [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2471,"featured_media":0,"parent":9193,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-19251","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-28 03:38:10","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2471"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19251"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30061,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19251\/revisions\/30061"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}