Technical Development in Keyboarding – JSS2 Business Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Keyboarding is the skill of typing quickly, neatly and accurately, and it helps a person to rise in a chosen profession.

Behavioural objectives

1. State the three tabular control keys and their uses.
2. Explain the functions of the line space regulator, the carriage return lever and the margin release lever.
3. Create a table on the computer in three different ways.
4. Change the colours and lines of a table.
5. State the uses of the Enter key.

What is keyboarding?

Keyboarding is the skill of using a keyboard to enter text, figures and commands quickly and neatly.

• Typewriter keyboarding: uses techniques such as tabular key operation, the line space regulator, the carriage return lever and the margin release lever.
• Computer keyboarding: uses skills such as creating tables and using the Enter key.
• Aim: to type as fast as possible while keeping the work neat and free of errors.

What habits help you type well?

Good typing habits help a typist to work faster with fewer mistakes.

• Posture: sit upright with both feet flat on the floor.
• Home keys: rest the fingers on the home row keys (A S D F and J K L ;).
• Eyes: look at the copy and not at the keys.
• Rhythm: press the keys at an even pace.
• Checking: read the work through to correct errors.

Which techniques help you type neatly and quickly?

Four typewriting techniques must be mastered for quick and neat typing: tabular key operation, the line space regulator, the carriage return lever and the margin release lever.

What is tabular key operation?

Tabular key operation is the use of the tabulator keys to move quickly to set points on a line.

There are three tabular control keys:

• Tab set key (+): sets a tab stop.
• Tab clear key (-): clears a tab stop.
• Tab bar (tab key): moves the carriage to the next tab stop.

The tabulator is used for:

• Paragraphing: it indents the first line of a paragraph.
• Columns: it lines up items typed in columns, such as names and ages.

How do you use a tab stop?

1. Move the carriage to the point where the stop is needed.
2. Press the tab set key to set the stop.
3. Return the carriage to the left margin.
4. Press the tab bar to move straight to the stop.
5. To remove a stop, move to it and press the tab clear key.

What is the line space regulator?

The line space regulator sets the spacing between typed lines when the carriage return lever is turned.

• Single spacing: no blank line between typed lines (setting 1).
• Double spacing: one blank line between typed lines (setting 2).
• Treble spacing: two blank lines between typed lines (setting 3).
• Other settings: most typewriters also offer settings such as ½, 1 ½ and 2 ½.

What is the carriage return lever?

The carriage return lever moves the carriage back to the left margin and to the next line of typing.

• Line chosen: the next line is set by the line space regulator.
• Use: it is operated at the end of each line of typing.

What is the margin release lever?

The margin release lever temporarily unlocks the margins so that you can type beyond the margin set.

• Use: it lets you finish a word that is too long for the line.

What are the typewriter parts and their functions?

What is a table on the computer?

A table is a grid of rows and columns used to arrange information neatly.

• Row: a horizontal line of boxes.
• Column: a vertical line of boxes.
• Cell: one box where a row and a column meet.

In Computer Studies, you create tables for items such as the one below.

How do you create tables on the computer?

There are three ways to create a table: the Tables and Borders toolbar, the Insert Table dialogue box and the Draw Table option.

How do you make a table from the Tables and Borders toolbar?

1. Place the cursor where the table is to be created.
2. Click the insert table icon on the Tables and Borders toolbar at the top of the window.
3. Drag the corner of the table until the desired number of columns and rows is created.
4. Click the mouse to insert the table.

How do you make a table from the Insert Table dialogue box?

1. Click Table in the menu bar, select Insert, and then select Table. A dialogue box will appear.
2. Enter the desired number of rows and columns.
3. Choose the auto-fit behaviour if the table’s cells are to be expanded. Auto format can also be chosen.
4. Click OK to insert your table.

How do you draw a table?

1. Select Table from the menu bar.
2. Select Draw Table.
3. Drag the pencil diagonally across the page to make a rectangle where the table is to be placed.
4. Draw lines vertically and horizontally to create the columns and rows that are needed.

How do you change the colours and lines of a table?

1. Click the Table tab.
2. Choose Table Properties.
3. Click the Borders and Shading button and make the desired selections.
4. Click OK, and then click OK again.

What is the Enter key used for?

The Enter key makes a command line, window or dialogue box carry out an action.

• Carry out a command: it runs a command typed on a command line.
• Replace the OK button: it can be pressed instead of clicking OK in a dialogue box.
• Begin a new line: it moves the cursor to the next line or paragraph when typing.
• Save time: it can be used in place of the mouse for other tasks on the computer.

Evaluation

1. Name the three tabular control keys.
2. What is the use of the margin release lever?
3. What does the carriage return lever do?
4. List the steps for making a table from the Insert Table dialogue box.
5. State two uses of the Enter key.

Assignment

1. Write out the steps for drawing a table using the Draw Table option, and then describe how to change the colours and lines of that table.