Mastery of the Keyboard – JSS1 Computer Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

A keyboard is an input device used to type letters, numbers, and commands into a computer. It has many keys that you press to make the computer do things. The keyboard is one of the main ways we talk to computers and tell them what to do.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State why keyboard mastery is important.
2. Name the main parts of the keyboard and the keys in each part.
3. Sit and place their hands correctly for typing.
4. Say which fingers press which keys from the home row.
5. Use common keyboard shortcuts.

Why is keyboard mastery important?

Learning to use a keyboard well is very important for many reasons:

1. Speed: When you know how to type without looking at the keys, you can work much faster.
2. Accuracy: Good typing skills help you make fewer mistakes when writing.
3. Less tiredness: Using the keyboard correctly causes less strain on your hands, wrists, and arms.
4. More job opportunities: Many jobs require keyboard skills. Typing well can help you get more jobs.
5. Better focus: When you don’t have to think about where the keys are, you can focus on your ideas instead of your typing.
6. Independence: Good typing skills let you create documents, emails, and messages without needing help.

What are the parts of the keyboard?

The standard computer keyboard has five main parts.

1. Alphanumeric keys

These are the main keys you use for typing letters and numbers:

• Letter keys: The 26 letters of the alphabet (A to Z)
• Number keys: The numbers 0 through 9 at the top of the keyboard
• Symbol keys: Special characters like @, #, $, %, &, *, (, ), -, +, =, etc.
• Spacebar: The long key at the bottom used to put spaces between words

2. Function keys

These are the F1 through F12 keys at the top of the keyboard. They do special actions depending on what program you are using.

3. Navigation keys

These keys help you move around in documents:

• Arrow keys: Move the cursor up, down, left, or right
• Home key: Moves to the beginning of a line
• End key: Moves to the end of a line
• Page Up: Moves up one screen
• Page Down: Moves down one screen

4. Numeric keypad

This is the calculator-like set of numbers on the right side of many keyboards. It makes entering lots of numbers easier.

5. Control keys

These are special keys that change how other keys work:

• Shift: Makes capital letters or the upper symbols on keys
• Caps Lock: Makes all letters capital until turned off
• Ctrl (Control): Works with other keys to do commands
• Alt (Alternate): Also works with other keys for commands
• Tab: Moves the cursor to the next tab stop or between fields
• Enter/Return: Starts a new line or submits information
• Backspace: Erases the character to the left of the cursor
• Delete: Erases the character to the right of the cursor
• Escape (Esc): Cancels an action or exits a program

What is the proper typing position?

To type well and avoid pain, you should sit and place your hands correctly.

Sitting position

1. Sit up straight with your back against the chair.
2. Keep your feet flat on the floor.
3. Position the screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away.
4. Place the keyboard at a height where your elbows can bend at about 90 degrees.

Hand position

1. Place your fingers on the “home row” keys:
   • Left hand fingers on A, S, D, F
   • Right hand fingers on J, K, L, ;
   • Both thumbs rest on the spacebar
2. Curve your fingers slightly and keep your wrists straight, not bent up or down.
3. Don’t rest your wrists on the desk while typing. Keep them slightly raised.

What is the home row method?

The home row is the starting position for touch typing (typing without looking at the keyboard). From the home row, each finger is responsible for certain keys:

Your thumbs are responsible for pressing the spacebar.

How do you learn to type?

Stage 1: Learn the key locations

1. Start by memorising where each key is located.
2. Practise finding keys without looking at the keyboard.
3. Focus on the home row keys first (A, S, D, F, J, K, L, ;).
4. Gradually learn the keys in the row above and below the home row.

Stage 2: Practise basic finger movements

1. Practise moving each finger from the home position to its assigned keys.
2. Return to the home position after each keystroke.
3. Keep your eyes on the screen, not on your fingers.
4. Start slowly and focus on accuracy, not speed.

Stage 3: Build words and sentences

1. Begin typing simple words using the keys you’ve learned.
2. Practise common letter combinations.
3. Gradually build up to typing full sentences.
4. Use typing software or online lessons that introduce keys gradually.

Stage 4: Build speed and accuracy

1. Set small goals for speed (words per minute or WPM).
2. Practise regularly, even if just for 15 to 20 minutes a day.
3. Focus on accuracy first. Speed will come with practice.
4. Take typing tests to measure your progress.

What are the common keyboard shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that do tasks quickly. Here are some useful ones.

Basic shortcuts

Text formatting shortcuts

Evaluation

1. Give three reasons why it is important to learn to use the keyboard well.
2. Name the five main parts of the keyboard.
3. Which keys do the left-hand and right-hand fingers rest on in the home row?
4. What is the difference between the Backspace key and the Delete key?
5. Write the shortcut keys for copy, paste and save.

Assignment

1. List the keys that each finger of the left hand presses from the home row.
2. Write any five keyboard shortcuts and say what each one does.
3. Describe the correct sitting position for typing.