Using the Keyboard

  TYPE IT QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY

Some people say that the faster you can type, the faster you can think.  Today, we see many people in a supervisory or management role, who type all of their own documents.  This gives them the ability to type directly what they are thinking.  It may be a sales proposal, a tender document, a budget submission or other management document which needs to be created, instead of hand writing the ideas, the supervisor who can type, can create the document as they think.  This gives them so much more creativity and freedom when creating the report.  They may decide to give the draft document to someone else for proof reading and layout correction.

 So, if the manager can see the importance of being able to type, all other computer users should also be able to see the advantage of using correct typing techniques.

 Can you produce your documents within designated timelines?

 Each organisation will have a different standard for the typing speeds that they expect you to have.  If typing is a very large part of your job, then it is important that you practice your speed and accuracy every day.  Your typing speeds will increase with practice.

 If you would like to do a typing test, you can try this on-line test by visiting:

 http://www.mrkent.com/kb/kbtest.htm

 Alternatively, ask your trainer to conduct a typing test with you.

 Remember, the faster you type, the faster your work will be completed.   In this unit, your supervisor will need to confirm – in the final assessment – that you are able to produce documents within the organisational designated timelines.

 If you still haven’t mastered touch typing, work through the following exercises – getting to know your keyboard.

 Getting to know your Keyboard

 The computer keyboard looks similar to an old fashioned typewriter.  We call the layout of the keyboard the "QWERTY" keyboard.  Do you know why?  Look at the keyboard and you'll see that the alpha letters on the top left row go QWERTY!

Look at your keyboard, and you'll notice there are other keys as well.  These keys include:

¨     Function Keys … F1 through to F12

¨     A numeric keypad (similar to a calculator keypad)

¨     Arrow keys

¨     Booster keys [CTRL], [ALT], [SHIFT]

Most keys on the keyboard are automatic repeating. This means that when one is held down, the letter, character or number repeats itself until you release the key. 

It is important to remember when entering commands that you tap the keys rather than hesitating and holding the key down too long. At the end of the line, the cursor goes automatically to the next line. This is called WRAPAROUND OR WORDWRAP. 

¨     By depressing the [SHIFT] key while typing a letter, you get capital letters. On the numeric and symbol keys you obtain the top symbol on the key , for example [SHIFT] [2] will display the @ symbol.

¨     Notice that the [SHIFT] key will not allow you to enter numbers from the arrow/number pad on the right of your keyboard. 

¨     By pressing the [CAPS LOCK] key once it locks the alpha keys to capitals. Press it again to return to lower case. Note that is has no effect on numeric or symbol keys nor the number pad. Also check the keyboard to see if the caps lock indicator lamp is glowing while caps lock is on. 

¨     The [ENTER] key is the most important key of all. It tells the computer you have finished entering the command and to start to action your request. This key is also used as the carriage return key.  When you are typing a document in a word processing document, you will type the lines of text in a paragraph and the text will automatically wrap to the next line when appropriate, however, when you are ready to start a new line, you need to press the [ENTER] key.  When you want to insert blank lines into a document, you will also press the [ENTER] key. 

¨     The [ESCAPE] key usually cancels the current command entered to the computer. It often takes the user back one step but this is not always the case. 

¨     The [BREAK]Key terminates or stops a command completely.  This key will not work in all programs, however, is usually good to know if you are playing games.  To use this key, hold down the [CTRL] key and then the [BREAK] key. Warning: data may be lost when you terminate a program, so use with caution. 

¨     The Numeric Keypad is used to enter numbers, make sure that the [NUM LOCK] indicator light is displayed, or you won't get numbers, the arrow keys will work instead.

¨     By pressing the [NUM LOCK] key once, the keys on the numeric keypad will be locked to the numerals 0 through 9 and the decimal point, as indicated on the keytops. Pressing the [NUM LOCK]) key again will return the keypad to the cursor control mode. Notice the [NUM LOCK]indicator lamp which glows when the [NUM LOCK]is on. 

¨     The Quick Cursor Movement Keys [HOME], [END], [PGUP] and [PGDN] allow you to move the cursor quickly in most software packages. 

¨     The [TAB] key is used to move the cursor to a preset tab position. 

¨     The [SPACE BAR] moves the cursor across screen one space at a time.

¨     When you are using the calculator, the math Operating Keys are:

+ addition

‑ subtraction

* multiplication

/ division

¨     These are used in programs which perform mathematical functions. Notice that the "0" (zero) and the "O" (letter O), and the "1" (number one) and the "l" (letter I).  Although these keys look alike, the computer recognises them as being different. They cannot be interchanged as on a standard typewriter. 

¨     The Editing Keys

¨     The [BACKSPACE] key is used to remove character to the left cursor

¨     The [DELETE] key is used to delete characters on or to the right the cursor

¨     BOOSTER KEYS are [ALT], [SHIFT] and [CONTROL].  These used to add extra functions to the keyboard. They must be pressed down in conjunction with another key to perform function. 

¨     Function Keys [F1] to [F12] are the twelve function keys. They perform different functions depending upon the software being used.  Usually a template is fitted over these keys to label their functions. 

How do you look after your keyboard?

Always remember

COMPUTERS AND LIQUIDS

DO NOT MIX!

Do not strike the keys heavily or force anything between the keys. Periodically clean out under the keys with a vacuum cleaner to remove accumulated dust, dirt and hair. 

Learning to Type

Using the keyboard is a skill, if you don't learn this skill you will take a lot more time to do your work, while you "hunt and peck" around the keyboard.

Here are some strategies for developing better typing skills.

1.                             Download a typing tutor from the INTERNET and practice how to type, you will find a number of shareware and public domain typing tutors on the NET, if you visit http://www.shareware.com or http://www.download.cnet.com you will be able to download a program onto your computer.  To find the typing programs, do a search on TYPING.  Alternatively, there are a number of very good typing tutorials available at local computer stores.

2.                             Practice your typing every day.  If you can do the typing drills for at least 15 minutes per day, you will notice a remarkable improvement in your typing ability.

3.                             Aim for accuracy before speed.

4.                             As you type, say the letters aloud, (yes, your colleagues may think you are crazy, but this really helps).  Once you can hear the letters in your head, as you type, you will no longer have to say them aloud.

5.                             Always use the correct fingers for each of the keys. When you are not typing a letter, return your fingers to the HOME ROWS, the HOME ROWS are ASDF and JKL; and don’t look at the keys!

Ready Set Go….

Keyboarding Drills

Using any word processing program, practice the following drills everyday.

Don't forget to say the letters aloud as you type each character.

Start with the Home Row, then process to the Top row, then the Bottom row, then mix them all together.

Home Row Drills - type each line twice

Top Row Drills - type each line twice

Now practice both Home and Top rows

Drills for the Bottom row

Now practice all of the keys  

Now practice the very top row - numbers and special characters

Now practice the very top row - numbers and special characters  

There are other ways of entering data!

Of course, using a keyboard is probably the most convenient and conventional way of entering text into a document in today’s workplace.

However, you may be in a workplace that uses other input devices as well.  Ask your supervisor if there are other input devices within your workplace.  These may include scanners, barcode readers, digital Dictaphones and microphones for speech recognition mice, games controllers and data gloves for virtual reality.

We will see many more space age input devices coming into our workplaces in the next 10 years.  These may include devices like Brain Actuated Technology - an interface device that converts brain and facial signals into the equivalent of mouse inputs or application commands.  Can you imagine operating your computer, simply by thinking about what you want to be done!