I.

Lesson Title:
Figure and Symbol Keys

II. Learning Objectives:

At the end of the module, the learners will be able to:

1. Be familiarized with the Key the alphabetic keys by touch.

2. Develop good keyboarding techniques.
3. Will be fluent in keyboarding at least 25 words per minute.
4. Develop reasonable accuracy.
Course Textbook:
1. https://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/11463/11738516/CIT_AppB_for-
website.pdf
2. Learn how to type faster. Touch typing tips — Ratatype. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ratatype:
https://www.ratatype.com/learn/
Reference List:
1. VanHuss, S. H., Forde, C. M., & Woo, D. L. (2010). Keyboarding & Word Processing
Essentials Microsoft® Word 2010. Mason, Ohio 45040, USA. Retrieved from
http://dl.booktolearn.com/ebooks2/computer/office/9780538495387_keyboarding_and_w
ord_processing_essentials_2653.pdf
2. Voo, B. (2020, June 15). How to Type Faster: Tips and Tricks to Master the Keyboard -
Hongkiat. Retrieved from Hongkiat: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/faster-keyboard-
typing/
III. Lectures and Annotations:
LEARNING TO KEY CORRECTLY

The human body is not designed for long sessions of repetitive movement. You might even
know someone who has strained their hands and fingers by playing video games. Keyboarding can
present similar dangers. When you key, you repeat many small movements with your hands and
fingers. You might be keying for a long time. If you position yourself correctly, however, you can
avoid strain and fatigue. (Keyboarding Essentials)
According to “Keyboarding Essentials” (n.d.) even if you do not practice healthy keying
techniques, you might not experience any problems while you are young and flexible. However,
over the years, if you don’t begin to key correctly, you will repeat thousands of stressful
movements. You risk painful long-lasting injury that can reduce the quality of your life and your
ability to work. It pays to develop healthy keying habits now.
Keyboarding: The Survival Skill
 Keyboarding is a valuable and necessary skill for everyone in this technological world. It
is an expected tool for effective communication throughout one’s life.
Students who resort to “hunting and pecking” to key their school assignments are
constantly searching for the correct letter on the keyboard. Frustration abounds for students who
wish to key their research report into the computer, but do not have the touch keyboarding skills
required to accomplish the task quickly and proficiently. Students who can key by touch are much
more relaxed because they can keep their eyes on the screen and concentrate on text editing and
composing.
Some people claim that voice-activated computers will replace the need for keyboarding.
Voice activation currently works best in conjunction with keyboarding. The first draft of a
document can be inputted using voice; the draft is then edited using the keyboard. Together, this
process can greatly speed work performance. (VanHuss, Forde, & Woo, 2010)

ADJUSTING YOUR WORKSTATION

In a classroom you do not usually have much choice in the equipment you must use.
However, flexible equipment and a little imagination can help you adjust your workstation.
(Keyboarding Essentials)
Adjusting Your Keyboard and Mouse You want your fingers to gently curve over the
keys while your wrist is in a flat, neutral position.
If wrist rests are available, place one in front of the keyboard as a guide. Never rest your arms,
hands, or wrists while you are keying.
• Place your mouse or trackball at the same height as your keyboard, in easy reach of your
preferred hand.
Adjusting the Slope of Your Keyboard If your keyboard slants toward you, you need to
adjust it so it is flat or slopes down away from you.
• Flatten the kickstand at the back of the keyboard.
• Alternatively, raise the front of the keyboard about ¾" by using door wedges, a wood
strip, or a box.

SITTING POSTURE FOR TYPING

Sitting posture for typing according to “Learn how to type faster. Touch typing tips —
Ratatype” (n.d.):
• Sit straight and remember to keep your back straight.
• Keep your elbows bent at the right angle.
• Face the screen with your head slightly tilted forward.
• Keep at least 45 - 70 cm of distance between your eyes and the screen.
• Expose the shoulder, arm, and wrist muscles to the least possible strain. The wrists can
touch the tabletop in front of the keyboard. Never shift your body weight to the wrists by
resting on them.
 https://www.ratatype.com/static/i/learn/seating/en.png
Figure 1
AVOIDING STRESS WHEN KEYING

According to “Keyboarding Essentials” (n.d.) there are two ways to avoid stress when
keying. First, you need to maintain the correct keying posture as you key. Second, you need to
take a short break every 20 to 30 minutes and perform stretching exercises designed to help you
avoid strain, fatigue, and injury.

Maintaining a Correct Keying Position

It’s easy to start keying by using the correct keying position. As we key, however, many of us lose
our focus, and bad habits begin to creep in. It’s important to check your keying position to make
sure you are still keying correctly. The following figures show some guidelines for maintaining
correct keying positions.

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

 Figure 2
STRETCHING AND RESTING
When you key for a long time, your muscles stiffen. You become fatigued and risk injury.
You build tension in many parts of your body, including your neck, arms, and wrists. To relieve
the tension and reduce the threat of injury, you should stretch before you start keying. You should
also take short breaks from keying every 20 to 30 minutes and stretch. (Keyboarding Essentials)
Stretch 1: Neck Stretch
Sitting tall, bring your chin toward your chest, stretching the back of your neck. Slowly
repeat two times.

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 3
Stretch 2: Head Turn
Begin with your head in a neutral position. Look all the way to the right without moving
your chest or upper back. Then, look to the left. Slowly repeat two times.

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 4
Stretch 3: Head Tilt
Begin with your head in a neutral position. Bring your ear toward your shoulder without
turning your head or lifting your shoulder. Hold for a count of five. Reverse directions.
 Snip from Keyboarding Essentials
Figure 5
Stretch 4: Downward Wrist Stretch
With your left fingers pointing down and your palm in, place your right hand over your
left knuckles. Extend your arms straight out. Gently press back with your right hand to a count of
ten. Reverse hands. Repeat the stretches using a fist.

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 6
Stretch 5: Upward Wrist Stretch
With your left fingers pointing up, place your right hand over your left palm. Extend your
arms straight out. Gently press back with your right hand to a count of ten. Reverse hands. Repeat
the stretches with fingers pointing down and the palm out.

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 7
BENEFITS OF KEYING CORRECTLY
“Keyboarding Essentials” (n.d.) tells that if you learn to key correctly, you will:
• Increase your speed.
• Increase your efficiency, making fewer errors.
• Increase your effectiveness because you can see your work and screen while your hands
are free to work.
• Stay healthy, avoid injury, and remain productive over your lifetime.
BREAKING BAD HABITS
Getting rid of your bad typing habits is probably the hardest thing to do. You’ve probably
been using the same typing method since you started using a keyboard, right down to where you
place your palms. If you’re an FPS (First Person Shooter) gamer you’re probably used to placing
your left hand on the WASD keys and may have stronger fingers on your left hand than your right.
Others may type only with two fingers, hovering over ten (or more) keys each, always
having to keep their eyes on the keyboard to get the right keys. Although you might be typing fast
with only half of the needed fingers, you have to put down your foot (or your hands) and break
that habit immediately. (Voo, 2020)

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 8

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 9
HOMEROW POSITION
Curve your fingers a little and put them on the ASDF and JKL; keys which are located in
the middle row of the letter keys. This row is called HOME ROW because you always start from
these keys and always return to them.
F and J keys under your index fingers should have a raised line on them to aide in finding
these keys without looking. (Learn how to type faster. Touch typing tips — Ratatype)

https://www.ratatype.com/static/i/learn/keyboard/en/main_keys.png
Figure 10

КEYBOARD SCHEME

Snip from Keyboarding Essentials

Figure 11

The color-coded keyboard under lesson input field will help you to understand which
finger should press each key.

• Hit keys only with the fingers for which they have been reserved.
 • Always return to the starting position of the fingers "ASDF – JKL;".
• When typing, imagine the location of the symbol on the keyboard.
• Establish and maintain a rhythm while typing. Your keystrokes should come at equal
intervals.
• The SHIFT key is always pressed by the pinky finger opposite to the one hitting the other
key.
• Use the thumb of whichever hand is more convenient for you to press the Space bar.

This method may seem inconvenient at first, but do not stop, eventually, you’ll find out
that you are typing quickly, easily, and conveniently. (Learn how to type faster. Touch typing
tips — Ratatype)

FINGERS MOTION AND TYPING SPEED

Don't look at the keys when you type. Just slide your fingers around until they find the
home row marking.

Limit your hand and finger movement only to what is necessary to press a specific key.
Keep your hands and fingers close to the base position. This improves typing speed and reduces
stress on the hands.

Pay attention to ring fingers and little fingers, since they are considerably underdeveloped.

• Do not rush when you just started learning. Speed up only when your fingers hit the right
keys out of habit.
• Take your time when typing to avoid mistakes. The speed will pick up as you progress.
• Always scan the text a word or two in advance.
• Pass all typing lessons at Ratatype. It will help you to get above the average typing speed.

Take a break if you feel that you get distracted easily and are making a lot of mistakes. It is
more productive to come back when you feel refreshed. (Learn how to type faster. Touch typing
tips — Ratatype)