MODULE 2

KEYBOARDING
 What is Keyboarding?

Keyboarding in the context of computers refers to the skill and practice of typing on a
keyboard efficiently and accurately. This involves:

1. Proper Hand Position: Using the correct finger placement on the keyboard to maximize
typing speed and reduce strain. Typically, this includes placing fingers on the "home row"
keys (A, S, D, F for the left hand and J, K, L, ; for the right hand) when not typing.
2. Touch Typing: Typing without looking at the keyboard, using muscle memory to find keys.
This is a key skill for improving typing speed and accuracy.
3. Typing Techniques: Learning and practicing techniques such as proper finger movement,
posture, and rhythm to enhance typing efficiency.
4. Typing Speed and Accuracy: Measuring and improving the number of words typed per
minute (WPM) and the accuracy (percentage of correct key presses).
5. Keyboard Shortcuts: Using specific key combinations to perform tasks quickly (e.g.,
Ctrl+C for copy, Ctrl+V for paste).
6. Ergonomics: Ensuring that the keyboard is placed at a comfortable height and angle to
prevent strain or injury during long typing sessions.

Developing strong keyboarding skills can significantly improve productivity and reduce the risk of
repetitive strain injuries.

Parts of the keyboard

Function Keys

System Keys/ Numeric

Keys
Special-purpose
Keys

Alphanumeric Keys/
Navigation
Standard Typewriter Keys
Keys

Give the function/s of the following keys:

Standard Typewriter Keys Cursor Movement Keys Numeric Keypad Special Purpose Keys
 Tab  Arrow keys  NumLock  Shift
 Caps Lock  Del  Ctrl
 Spacebar  Home Function Keys  Alt
 Letter Keys  End  F1-F12  Enter
 Number Keys  Page Up  Esc
 Backspace Key  Page Down
PARTS OF THE MOUSE:

Describe the following mouse actions:

• Click - Press the left button once without moving the mouse; it selects the object
• Double-click - Press the left button twice in rapid succession; it opens a folder or starts a program
• Right-click - Press the right button once; shows the context menu
• Drag and Drop - Press the left button then move the object; moves the object

Keyboarding basics
Touch Typing – is the process of typing quickly and accurately using all the fingers of your hand without
looking at the keys.
Proper Keyboarding Position
- can help prevent pain in the neck, shoulders and back as well as eye strain, fatigue,
tendinitis and other pains and injuries associated with long-term computer use
- Tips to Keyboarding: If you sit for long periods of time, you will force your muscles into fixed
positions. Walk and stretch about three minutes every hour to reduce fatigue and stiffness.
Proper Keyboarding Position involves
sitting up tall and pushing your hips as far back as they can go in the chair
sitting close to the keyboard: positioning the monitor so it is centered in front of you
adjusting the keyboard location so your shoulders can be open and slightly relaxed, and your hands
and wrists are straight
positioning the monitor so it is centered in front of you − positioning any source documents directly
in front of you.
The Home Row
- are the keys on which you initially place your fingers
- is the location where your fingers will always return to while typing
- asdfjkl;

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.
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.
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.
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.
Correct Keying Posture
After you have adjusted your workstation, you need to maintain the correct keying posture. Following are
some guidelines for keying correctly:
• Center your body on the J key, about a hand’s length from the keyboard and directly in front of the monitor.
• Hold your head straight over your shoulders, without straining forward or backward.
• Position the monitor at eye level, about arm’s length away, so you look down about 10 degrees.
• Elongate and relax your neck.
• Keep your shoulders down.
• Tilt your keyboard slightly down toward the monitor. This helps you keep your wrists neutral and your fingers
relaxed and curled.
• Adjust your chair and keyboard so your elbows bend at right angles.
• Keep your arms close to your sides, but free to move slightly.
• Keep your wrists relaxed and straight in a “neutral” position.
• Keep your back upright or tilted slightly forward from the hips. Keep the slight natural curve of your lower back.
Use a cushion or adjust the chair to support your lower back.
• Keep your knees slightly lower than your hips.
• Adjust your chair so your feet are well supported. Use a footrest, if needed.

Avoiding Stress When Keying

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.

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.

Stretch 1: Neck Stretch

Sitting tall, bring your chin toward your chest, stretching the back of your neck. Slowly repeat two times.
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.

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.

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.

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.

Benefits of Keying Correctly

Training takes effort and time. If you already use a keyboard, you might have to re-teach your body to use
correct techniques. You might ask yourself “Why make the effort? I’m already keying fast enough.”
Just imagine you will probably be using a computer for the rest of your life. If you don’t learn now, you will
probably need to learn later. There’s really no escaping it. Besides, 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

Many of you might have been keying for years. However, without any formal training, you could easily have
developed bad habits.
The best way to correct bad habits is to use natural breaks as checkpoints. For instance, look at your own
habits at the end of each exercise, paragraph, or page you type. Consider your posture, sitting position, hand position,
keying technique, and work habits.
To help you break your bad habits, consult the following “Bad Habits Checklist.” Check it when you start
keying and when you take a break. If you know you have a particular bad habit, try to focus on the correction at the
beginning of every keying session. Eventually the bad habit will be replaced by the good habit. It takes work, but it’s
worth it.

Bad Habits Checklist

Bad Habit Correction

Slouching Sit up straight with your feet flat and well supported.
Reaching too far for the keyboard or the mouse Reaching too far for the keyboard or the mouse
Reaching too far for the keyboard or the mouse Hover your hands over the keyboard; curl your fingers
slightly
Bending your wrists forward, back, left, or right Keep your forearms and wrists straight and in the
neutral position.
Pounding the keys Strike keys lightly
Looking at the keyboard Position the workstand close to the monitor at eye level.
Keep your eyes on your work.
Raising your elbows Keep your arms close to your body
Raising your shoulders Keep your shoulders relaxed, with your chest open and
wide.
Keying with the wrong fingers Practice with correct fingers until you establish the right
habit. Your speed will then improve.