Effects of Word Processing

When reading Chapter 9 this week, I was interested in reading about the decision of keyboarding instruction for students. There seems to be disagreement on whether students should be taught keyboarding skills because some believe that without proper training, students will develop bad skills that could perhaps become permanent. Others believe that too much emphasis is centered around speed of typing, and that students need only basic familiarization to use the computer. This led me to wonder how is this viewed as a learning process? I remember my mother making me take a typing class in the 9th grade and I absolutely 'hated' it! While I did learn basic skills, I was not interested at the time and I definitely wasn't motivated. While I did not like the class, I have to admit it was a beneficial experience for me. I did learn to type quickly, but not always without errors :) I have found the more I have practiced my typing through e-mails, letters, and other word processing assignments, I have improved. So the question is which was more beneficial? I am grateful for the experience the class gave me, although it was misery at the time. I wonder at what age is appropriate for keyboarding skills to be emphasized, and is a student's experience on the computer enough for them? Will students develop poor habits by not teaching proper hand alignment? Do we want them pecking at the letters? I have seen adults who use the computer frequently doing just that. There does seem to be an importance for students to learn keyboarding skills, but not over students not having access to the computer until they do so. I would be interested in hearing from those of you currently teaching to tell me what you are doing and for what age.