Introduction to Keyboarding – JSS1 Business Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Keyboarding is the act of producing written words or characters, using a typewriter. A typewriter is an office machine designed for typing, which enables the user to produce printed words on paper. Typewriters may be manual or electric. A person who types with a typewriter is called a typist. Keyboarding saves time and makes documents neat and legible.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define keyboarding and a typewriter;
• state the two types of typewriter and the two typefaces;
• give the importance of keyboarding and the uses of a typewriter;
• name the parts of a typewriter and state their uses;
• state the correct body positions for keyboarding and how to care for a typewriter.

What is keyboarding?

Keyboarding is the act of producing written words or characters. The machine designed to produce characters on paper is called a typewriter.

A typewriter is a machine that enables the user to produce printed words, that is, it is an office machine designed for typing.

The typewriter was invented in 1864 by Mitterhofer in Austria. Examples of typewriters are Adler, Olympia, Olivetti, IBM, Imperia and RankZerex.

What are the types of typewriter?

1. Manual typewriter: it is operated by human effort.
2. Electric typewriter: it is operated by electricity.

A typewriter has two typefaces, namely pica and elite.

Why is keyboarding important?

1. It saves time.
2. It makes documents neat and legible.
3. It serves as a means of earning a living.
4. It ensures accuracy in the figures, words or characters produced.

What are the uses of a typewriter?

1. It is used for typing business documents, memos, legal work, etc.
2. It is used for typing personal documents, such as letters.
3. It can be used for creating decorations.
4. It is used to produce many copies of a document with the use of carbon paper.

A person who uses a typewriter to type is called a typist.

What are the parts of a typewriter and their uses?

1. Carriage: the moving part of the machine. It carries the paper from left to right.
2. Carriage release lever: it allows the carriage to move freely to the left and right.
3. Platen knobs: the knobs at each end of the platen. They are used for turning the paper into position.
4. Carriage return lever: it is used to return the carriage and turn the paper up to begin a new line.
5. Paper guide: it is used for adjusting the paper and guiding the left-hand edge of the paper when it is inserted into the machine.
6. Shift key: when pressed down, it enables the typing of capital letters and the upper characters on the keys, such as punctuation marks.
7. Shift lock: it enables continuous typing of capital letters.
8. Paper release: it frees the paper in the machine when there is a need to remove, adjust or insert the paper.
9. Margin stop: it is used to fix the point at which the line of typing begins on the left side and ends on the right side of the paper.
10. Colour change adjust: it changes the colour to be typed on the ribbon, either red or black.
11. Platen: the roller on which the paper is held.
12. Paper bail bar: the movable arm marked with a typing scale, on which paper grips are mounted for easy typing.
13. Backspace key: it moves the carriage back one space for retyping.
14. Space bar: it allows space between words.

What are the guides to keyboarding?

All major parts of the body are involved when typing on the typewriter. The following must be observed anytime one is keyboarding:

• Arms and elbows: must hang loosely.
• Back: straight, with the body leaning forward slightly and the shoulders level.
• Body: position the body opposite the J key, a hand span from the machine.
• Feet: apart, firmly placed on the floor, one foot ahead of the other.
• Fingers: curved under so that only the tips touch the keys.
• Hands: close together, low and flat across the back.
• Head: hold it erect, facing the book.
• Shoulders: hold them back and relaxed.
• Chest: sit back in the chair.
• Wrists: keep them low, barely touching the machine.

How do we care for a typewriter?

1. Clean the typeface daily, before and after use.
2. Cover the typewriter properly when not in use.
3. Do not move the typewriter from one desk to another.
4. Dust the outer part of the machine and your desk after use.
5. Call a repairman if the machine develops faults.

What materials are used for cleaning a typewriter?

1. A duster
2. A long-handled soft brush, similar to a paintbrush
3. A cleaning brush like a toothbrush
4. A bottle of best typewriter oil
5. A small bottle of methylated spirit

Evaluation

1. Define keyboarding.
2. List and explain 7 parts of a typewriter as well as their uses.

Assignment

1. Outline 5 uses of a typewriter.
2. State 5 guides to effective keyboarding.