Men's underwear (boxers) on keyboard as a teaching tool

[Anonymous]

Anyone heard of this? Not much on google. This is happening in elementary child's tech classroom. They cover the keyboard with the boxer/underwear and put their hands through the leg holes to type. That way, they can't see the keyboard and learn to type without looking down????? I am not questioning whether they will learn to type, btw--questioning the method. I think this is a clueless tech teacher who is unaware of the optics of doing this. Maybe I'm clueless and this is a common method. At the same time, I feel like something should be said. How would you address this?

[Anonymous]

You cra-cra

[Anonymous]

In the old days they had blank keyboards to practice on. I thinking that's less common and harder to find. But it seems like an easy enough method.

[Anonymous]

It's fine. The boxers don't have men's sexy bits in them. What "optics"?

It's best for the kids to learn how to touch type and this is an affordable way to do it and not cheat. They are an easy to use material. Geez. And, I am not a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone heard of this? Not much on google. This is happening in elementary child's tech classroom. They cover the keyboard with the boxer/underwear and put their hands through the leg holes to type. That way, they can't see the keyboard and learn to type without looking down????? I am not questioning whether they will learn to type, btw--questioning the method. I think this is a clueless tech teacher who is unaware of the optics of doing this. Maybe I'm clueless and this is a common method. At the same time, I feel like something should be said. How would you address this?

What, exactly, is your concern? They’re clean, right?

[Anonymous]

I think to an elementary kid it’s definitely distracting.

I’m not sure an elementary kid could handle it with any maturity....

[Anonymous]

I cannot imagine handling a room of 2nd graders and their captain underpants jokes while doing this.

I would also think the fabric touching your hands would be distracting.

Maybe you could volunteer to make cardboard boxes to cover the keyboards.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of that. My DCs school uses speedskin silicone keyboard covers.
I think underwear would be distracting.

[Anonymous]

If the school doesn't have enough money for the keyboard covers, the boxers work just fine. Don't know that most kids would even think about it, other than to laugh at first.

[Anonymous]

I think it's creative and fun!

[Anonymous]

That does sound clueless. Back when I was taking typing in middle school, they used shirt boxes with one long side cut open so the flap let your hands in.

[Anonymous]

I teach fifth graders. 90% wouldn’t be a problem. But there would be 1-2 boys (usually) who might start with the “you like putting your hands in those, don’t you?”

[Anonymous]

As long as the boxers are clean, I don’t see an issue.

[Anonymous]

This is what was used in my (all-girls) high school typing class! I thought it was pretty resourceful.

[Anonymous]

That seems semi-inappropriate, especially with the slew of sexual misconduct allegations that keep cropping in this area (and nationwide). I understand the logic in covering up a child's hands, so they can learn keyboarding skills. However, there are other ways of meeting that objective. The teacher could buy cardboard covers or make their own contraption to accomplish the same intention. Something does not sit well with me when a teacher needs to say, "Now stick your hands up the leg of the boxer shorts and feel around for hand placement."

You should discuss your concerns with the teacher. If she still continues to use this as a learning tool, then you may wish to reach out to the Principal and CC legal counsel for that public school district for an added effect.