Lesson 2 Keyboarding skills QWERTY KEYBOARD - KEYBOARD KEY(S)/COMPONENTS Function keys Backspace Caps lock Enter Arrows Space bar Shift Shift Numeric keypad A keyboard is the set of typewriter-like keys that enables you to enter data into a computer and other devices. Computer keyboards are similar to electric typewriter keyboards but contain additional keys. The standard layout of letters, numbers, and punctuation is known as a Qwerty keyboard because the first six keys on the top row of letters spell Qwerty. Most keyboards have four key groups. The first key group looks very much like a typewriter keyboard. The alphabetic keys are arranged like those on a typewriter. This keyboard includes the alphabetical characters, numbers and many special characters. The Space bar appears at the bottom of the typewriter keypad. The Escape key is often used to cancel an instruction or exit from a situation. The Caps Lock key capitalises all the letters typed whilst it is on. The Shift key capitalises letters while you are holding it down and enters the top symbol on keys that contain two symbols. The Tab key moves the cursor to the next tab-stop. The cursor or paragraph marker is a symbol such as a vertical line that normally flashes and indicates where on the screen the next character will appear. The Enter key indicates that you have completed a command or want to move the cursor down. The Delete key deletes the characters to the right of the cursor while the Backspace key deletes the character to the left of the cursor. The second key group contains a set of 12 keys called function keys. Each of these keys starts with the letter F and is followed by a number. These keys are programmed by various software packages to give specific instructions to a computer, for example pressing the F1 key displays Help. The function keys are on most keyboards above the typewriter keyboard. The third key group is called the numeric keypad. This keypad is arranged on the right side of most keyboards. The numeric keys are arranged like the keys on a calculator to facilitate the entering of numeric data. The Num Lock light above the keyboard indicates whether the keypad is in numeric or directional mode. If the light is on, numbers will be entered if you press a key on the keypad. When the light is off, you can use the keys to move the cursor from one location on the monitor to another position. You can change the mode of the keypad from numeric to directional and vice versa by pressing the Num Lock key. The fourth key group is positioned between the typewriter key group and the numeric keypad. These keys are used to move from one position on your monitor to another position. Some of the keys are used for inserting and deleting text. The Insert key switches you between insert and overtype modes. The Home key takes you to the beginning of a line. The End key takes you to the end of a line. The Arrow keys move the cursor in the indicated direction. The Page Up and Page Down keys move the cursor one screen up or down. In many notebooks, the third and fourth key groups are combined to save space. Typing To be able to type at a useful speed, you must use the correct fingers for each key. The picture below shows the correct starting positions for your fingers when you begin typing. Finger/Thumb Left hand Right hand Finger 1 Index finger F, R, T, G, V, B J, U, Y, H, N, M Finger 2 Middle finger D, E, C K, I, comma Finger 3 Ring finger S, W, X L, O, full stop Finger 4 Small finger A, Q, Z, shift Semi-colon, P, Question mark, Enter, Shift Thumb Space bar Space bar EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Open a new blank Word document. 2. Put your hands on the keyboard on the home row as indicated on the picture above. Left hand A, S, D, F and right hand J, K, L and semi colon. Thumbs on the space bar. 3. Type your Name and Surname on row 1. 4. Enter twice. 5. Type the text below. You have ten minutes to do this. Use a stopwatch to time yourself. If you type 12 words per minute, you will be able to type all the text. 6. Save your document as STRESS in your own folder. 7. Print your document. It is important to keep stress levels in check because they can lead to job burnout. With burnout, you end up feeling down about yourself, disconnected from your work and low on energy. A vicious cycle then begins. As you become more removed from your work and work colleagues, so your working habits become less productive. If you fail to manage your stress levels, your relationships at the office will suffer too. Your co-workers will notice changes in your attitude, your anxiety level and your emotions. These changes will begin to isolate you from other people. After all, no-one wants to spend time with someone who is moody and unpredictable. .