MODULE 6

KEYBOARDING: PARTS & TECHNIQUE

Keyboarding refers to the ability to enter text by using the appropriate fingers without looking
at the keys. Enabling to use to the computer more effective and more productive. To better
understand keyboard techniques, it is important to know the keyboard layout below:

This is a standard “QWERTY” keyboard. Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, but the
general layout of the keys are identical to the above image.

The name “QWERTY” comes from the layout of the keys beginning with Q and ending in M.
The letters are arranged by frequency of use in the English language with commonly used
letters allocated to natural resting places of the hands on the keyboard.

Function Keys
http://www.seoconsultan ts.com/windows/keyboar d

Typewriter Keys Cursor Numeric

Contr o l Keys Keypad
:
Function Keys: F1 through F12 are the function keys.They have special purposes. But it
may vary according to the software currently running.

F keys are also used in combination with the Shift, Alt, and Ctrl keys. (For a list of Function
keys and combination commands, click Help feature of your program. Enter shortcut keys.
Click Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Office.)
Typewriter Keys: letters, numbers, and punctuation keys. Additional keys include the space
bar, shift key (for capital letters and top symbol on keys), and Caps Lock key for a series of
capital letters. Press the Enter key to begin a new paragraph in a word processor program
(also the same as clicking the OK button in a dialog box) The Spacebar separates a series
of letters and/or numbers into Standard English text.

Cursor Control Keys: also called arrow keys (←↑→↓), which move your text cursor in the
direction of the arrow.

Numeric Keypad: similar to a calculator for entering numbers and doing mathematical
operations quickly and easily. (You may also have a calculator shortcut key on your
keyboard.)

OTHER keys
Modifiers/Combination Keys:

The Shift key is used to make capital letters or to access the punctuation and other
symbols on the number keys and other keys. (Also used in combination with function and/or
ctrl keys.)

The Alt key is used in combination with the command keys for special functions such
as Ctrl+Alt+Dlt for task manager or ALT+F4 Exit Office Word 2007

Control key used in combination with other command keys. CTRL+F10 will
maximize the document window.

Locking Keys: these keys change how certain parts of the keyboard respond and can make
your task easier (or make you wonder what in the world happened!) For each key you click,
a small light will appear – usually on the top right of the keyboard. To turn off a key, just
click it again.

Think Capital letters. The Shift key is used for a single capital letter and the
Caps Lock could be used for emphasis or to create a title. ( If you press the Shift
key while the Caps Lock is on, the letters will return to normal.)

Pressing this key activities the numeric keypad at the right of the keyboard. Press
the key again to turn off the Num Lock and you can use the arrow keys on the
2,4,6,8.

Originally, it was meant to make the arrow keys scroll the contents of a text
window instead of moving the cursor.
Navigation keys: Arrow keys, Page Up/Page Down, Home, and End are convenient to move
your cursor to the desired location.

Oooops! Keys

Deletes text to the left of the cursor for each time you click on the key.

Deletes text to the right of the cursor for each time you click on the key. Or
click and drag your cursor over a line(s) of text to select the text and click
Delete. All the selected text will be deleted.

TAB in the context of text will create an indent of a set measurement.

INSERT is used with inputting text and will set the computer in a mode that when toggled on
will replace each letter ahead of the text cursor with what is typed. By default text is inserted
with the text cursor, it does not replace text.

HOME will bring the text cursor to the beginning of a line.

END will bring the text cursor to the end of a line.

PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN will scroll a window up or down the equivalent of one screen.

Helpful Keys

Windows key. Shortcut for the start menu.

PrtScn/SysRq Print Screen - pressing print screen will capture the entire screen,
while pressing the alt key in combination with print screen will capture the currently selected
window.

Esc Escape – shortcut in dialog boxes for No, Quit, Exit, Cancel, or Abort, as well as
a common shortcut key for the Stop button in many web browsers.

Menu key - The key's symbol is a small icon depicting a cursor hovering above a
menu. The key's primary function is to launch a context menu with the keyboard rather than
with the right-mouse button
KEYBOARD TECHNIQUE
1. Home row position – it is the home position for your fingers. It should be curved and
placed on home room keys. Use bumps on F and J keys to keep fingers in place.
a. Left hand – letters A, S, D, F
b. Right hand – letters J, K, L
2. Eyes on copy – eyes should stay on text that is being keyed at all times and not at
your keyboard for the reason that you will lose your place.
3. Feet flat on the floor – your feet serve as an anchor to your body when keying. This
will help your body from moving around with proper alignment and posture.
4. Keyboard placement – this should be placed at the end of the desk and your body
must be a hand span away from the desk.
5. Avoid resting you palms or wrist. Your hands should float above the keys while
you type. This will help you reach keys by moving your hands instead of stretching
your fingers. Resting palms or your wrist on the front of the keyboard and stretching
your fingers promotes carpal tunnel syndrome.

6. Use a soft touch. Most keyboards are fairly sensitive and don’t need mush pressure
for the key to register. Lightly tappings keys will help keep your fingers active and will
improve your speed.

• Keep your wrist straight as you type. Twisting your wrists can cause discomfort
and unnecessary stress.
KEY BOARD SHORTCUTS

A Keyboard Shortcut is a term used for pressing a modifier key with basic key in order to
trigger a secondary function of that basic key. When performing a Keyboard Shortcut you
hold down the modifier key and strike the basic key. Often Keyboard Shortcuts are program
specific, especially when the modifier key ALT is used. (Where “+” means “press with”).

CTRL + Q = Quit (Exit a Program)

CTRL + W = Close Window
CTRL + A = Select All
CTRL + S = Save
CTRL + F = Find
CTRL + Z = Undo
CTRL + X = Cut
CTRL + C = Copy
CTRL + V = Paste
CTRL + P = Print
ALT + TAB = Switch windows
CTRL + ALT + DEL = Will bring up a menu allowing you to shut down, restart, or log off
your computer. This will also allow you to launch Task Manager in order to monitor
computer programs currently running on your computer and if need be, stop them from
doing so. A powerful tool if a program on your computer freezes.