Alphanumeric Keys – JSS3 Business Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Alphanumeric keys are the keys on a computer keyboard used to type letters, numbers and symbols.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State the purpose of alphanumeric keys.
2. Name and describe the main alphanumeric keys.
3. Explain how the Shift key changes what the letter, number and symbol keys type.
4. Describe soft touch manipulation.
5. Place their fingers correctly on the home row keys.

What are the alphanumeric keys?

There are eight main alphanumeric keys: letter keys, space bar, number keys, symbol keys, Caps Lock, Enter, Backspace and Tab.

• Letter keys: keys A to Z, used to type words. A letter pressed alone gives a lowercase letter.
• Space bar: adds a blank space between words or characters. It is the longest key on the keyboard.
• Number keys: keys 0 to 9, used to type figures such as 25 or 2024.
• Symbol keys (notation keys): keys that type signs such as #, &, % and brackets ( ).
• Caps Lock key: when switched on, letters are typed in upper case without holding down Shift.
• Enter key: shows the end of an entry line and moves the cursor to the next line.
• Backspace key: moves the cursor one space backward and removes the character before it.
• Tab key: moves the cursor a set number of spaces across the screen.

What does the Shift key do?

The Shift key is a helper key held down together with another key to type an upper case letter or the upper symbol on a key.

• Number of Shift keys: there are two, one on the left and one on the right of the letter keys.
• With letter keys: Shift gives an upper case (capital) letter.
• With number keys: Shift gives the upper symbol printed on the key.
• With symbol keys: each key carries two symbols. The lower one types when the key is pressed alone.

How do you type a capital letter?

1. Hold down one Shift key with a little finger.
2. Press the letter key with the other hand.
3. Release both keys.

What is the difference between Shift and Caps Lock?

Shift works only while it is held down. Caps Lock stays on until it is pressed again.

What is soft touch manipulation?

Soft touch manipulation is pressing the keys lightly and smoothly while typing.

• Start position: place the fingers on the home row keys first.
• Movement: move the fingers softly to strike the other alphanumeric keys.
• Return: bring each finger back to its home row key after typing.
• Reason: a soft touch avoids key jams and keeps the keyboard in good condition.
• Result: typing is smoother and there are fewer mistakes.

How should the fingers be placed on the keyboard?

The fingers rest on the home row, which is the middle row of letter keys, starting with A S D F and J K L ;.

• Left hand: place the fingers over the A, S, D and F keys.
• Right hand: place the fingers over the J, K, L and ; keys.
• Thumbs: keep them in the air or very lightly touching the space bar.
• Index fingers: they also reach the G and H keys beside them.
• Wrists and back: keep the wrists level and sit upright.

Which finger rests on which key?

Evaluation

1. What are alphanumeric keys used for?
2. How do you type an upper case letter using the Shift key?
3. What does the Backspace key do?
4. Which keys should the left-hand and right-hand fingers rest on?
5. Why is a soft touch important when typing?

Assignment

1. List the eight types of alphanumeric keys and state one use of each.
2. Name three examples of symbol keys.