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

Keyboarding is the act of producing written words or characters using a typewriter.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. define keyboarding and a typewriter;
2. state the two types of typewriter and the two typefaces;
3. give the importance of keyboarding and the uses of a typewriter;
4. name the parts of a typewriter and state their uses;
5. 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, figures or characters on paper using a typewriter.

• Typewriter: an office machine designed for typing, which lets the user produce printed words on paper.
• Typist: a person who types with a typewriter.
• Examples of typewriters: Adler, Olympia, Olivetti, IBM, Imperia and RankZerex.
• Invention: the typewriter was invented in 1864 by Mitterhofer in Austria.

What are the types of typewriter?

There are two types of typewriter: manual and electric.

• Manual typewriter: it is operated by human effort. The typist presses each key with enough force to print.
• Electric typewriter: it is operated by electricity. It needs a power supply to work.

What are the typefaces of a typewriter?

A typewriter has two typefaces: pica and elite.

• Pica: the larger type, with 10 characters to one inch.
• Elite: the smaller type, with 12 characters to one inch.

Why is keyboarding important?

Keyboarding is important because it makes office work faster, neater and more accurate.

1. Saves time: typing is faster than writing by hand.
2. Neat and legible: typed documents are clean and easy to read.
3. Means of livelihood: it serves as a means of earning a living.
4. Accuracy: it ensures accuracy in the figures, words or characters produced.

What are the uses of a typewriter?

A typewriter is used to produce neat printed documents for business and personal purposes.

1. Business documents: it is used for typing memos, legal work and similar papers.
2. Personal documents: it is used for typing letters.
3. Decorations: it can be used for creating decorations.
4. Copies: it is used to produce many copies of a document with carbon paper.

What are the parts of a typewriter and their uses?

A manual typewriter has many parts, and each part has its own use.

• Carriage: the moving part of the machine. It carries the paper from left to right.
• Carriage release lever: it allows the carriage to move freely to the left and right.
• Platen knobs: the knobs at each end of the platen. They turn the paper into position.
• Carriage return lever: it returns the carriage and turns the paper up to begin a new line.
• Paper guide: it adjusts the paper and guides the left-hand edge of the paper when it is inserted.
• Shift key: when pressed down, it types capital letters and the upper characters on the keys, such as punctuation marks.
• Shift lock: it allows continuous typing of capital letters.
• Paper release: it frees the paper when there is a need to remove, adjust or insert the paper.
• Margin stop: it fixes the point where a line of typing begins on the left and ends on the right of the paper.
• Colour change adjust: it changes the ribbon colour to be typed, either red or black.
• Platen: the roller on which the paper is held.
• Paper bail bar: the movable arm marked with a typing scale, on which paper grips are mounted for easy typing.
• Backspace key: it moves the carriage back one space for retyping.
• Space bar: it leaves a space between words.

What are the guides to correct keyboarding?

All major parts of the body are involved when typing, so each must be placed correctly.

• Arms and elbows: must hang loosely.
• Back: straight, with the body leaning forward slightly and the shoulders level.
• Body: position it 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: held erect, facing the book.
• Shoulders: held back and relaxed.
• Chest: sit back in the chair.
• Wrists: kept low, barely touching the machine.

Which keys make up the home row?

The home row is the middle row of letter keys where the fingers rest when not typing.

• Left hand: A, S, D and F.
• Right hand: J, K, L and the semicolon (;).
• Thumbs: rest on the space bar.
• Use: the fingers return to these keys after typing any other key.

How do we care for a typewriter?

A typewriter lasts longer when it is kept clean, covered and handled carefully.

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?

Five materials are used for cleaning a typewriter.

• Duster: wipes dust from the outer parts of the machine.
• Long-handled soft brush: a brush similar to a paintbrush.
• Cleaning brush: a brush like a toothbrush.
• Typewriter oil: a bottle of the best typewriter oil.
• Methylated spirit: a small bottle of it.

Evaluation

1. Define keyboarding and a typewriter.
2. Name the two types of typewriter and the two typefaces.
3. List and explain 7 parts of a typewriter as well as their uses.
4. State the keys that make up the home row.

Assignment

Outline 5 uses of a typewriter and state 5 guides to correct keyboarding.