Information Technology
Information Technology
Class IX
This unit will cover a variety of key types, typing ergonomics, finger placement on the keyboard in accordance with the touch typing method, and the usage of typing software to learn keyboarding skills.
The most popular text-based input method is the keyboard. Typically, a keyboard has more than 100 keys. An individual symbol is assigned to each key on a keyboard. It enables the computer to accept alphabets, numbers, and symbols. The touch method of typing is a way to type without looking at the keys to locate them. Through muscle memory the touch typist is aware of where each key is on the keyboard. The eight fingers are normally arranged in a horizontal row down the middle of the keyboard during touch typing (the home row).
Types of keys
A computer keyboard contains the following types of keys –
Alphanumeric keys – All of the alphabet (A-Z) and numbers (0-9) on the keyboard.
Punctuation keys – All of the keys associated with punctuation, such as the comma (,), period (.), semicolon (;), brackets ([]), and parenthesis ({ }) and so on. Also, all of the mathematical operators such as the plus sign (+), minus sign (-), and equal sign (=).
Alt key – Short for Alternate, this key is like a second control key.
Arrow keys – There are four arrow keys to move the cursor (or insertion point) up (↑), down (↓), right (→), or left (←). Arrow keys can be used in conjunction with the
Shift or Alt keys – To move the cursor in more than one position at a time.
Backspace key – Deletes the character just to the left of the cursor (or insertion point) and moves the cursor to that position.
Caps Lock key – It is a toggle key, which when activated, causes all alphabetic characters to be uppercase.
Ctrl key – The control key is used in conjunction with other keys to produce control characters. The meaning of each control character depends on which program is running.
Delete key – The Del key deletes the character at the current cursor position, or the selected object, but does not move the cursor. For graphics-based applications, the delete key deletes the character to the right of the insertion point.
Enter key or Return key – It is used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line.
Esc key – The Escape key is used to send special codes to devices and to exit (or escape) from programs and tasks.
Function keys – Special keys labelled F1 to F12. These keys have different meaning depending on which program is running.
Numeric keypad
This keypad is just like a basic calculator. Typically, it is situated on the right side of the computer keyboard. It has the digits 0 through 9, as well as the symbols for addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/), a decimal point (.), Num Lock, and Enter.
A numeric keypad may function in dual mode as well. In one mode, it displays numbers, while in the other, it has a variety of keys, including arrow and page up and down keys. The two modes can be switched between using NumLock.
Home keys
Alphabets ASDF are home keys for the left hand and; (semi-colon) LKJ for the right hand.
Guide keys
The keys “F” and “J” on a keyboard are referred to as left and right hand guide keys, respectively. Both have a tiny raised tactile mark that the touch typist can use to position their fingertips accurately on the home keys.
Typing and deleting text
For typing text in a document you should
click on the letters on the keyboard.
For deleting text in a document you should
use the backspace key or the delete key. The backspace key will remove text from behind (to the left of) your cursor position.
For typing numbers in a document you should
use the numbers lock or the numbers on the second row of keys on the keyboard.
Typing capital letters
To type capital letters, switch ON the Caps Lock by pressing the key before typing.
Typing symbols
Press and hold the key and then press the key with the required symbol. There are two Shift keys on the keyboard.
Typing sentences
To get space between typed words, press the space bar once and then type the next word.
Creating new lines and spaces between paragraphs
The Enter or return key is used to create new lines and spaces between paragraphs.
Mouse
The three main components of a mouse are its buttons, handling area, and rolling object. The mouse is set up by default to work with the right hand. People who are left-handed can adjust the settings as necessary.
Mouse operations
While each mouse uses a different mechanical mechanism, they all complete the same task. To detect mouse motion, some of them employ a tracking ball at the bottom, while others use a certain sort of light beam.
Working properties of Mouse
Click or left click – It is used to select an item. Press down once on the left button with your index finger.
Double click – It is used to start a program or open a file or trigger an action.
Right click – It is used to display a set of commands and available options.
Drag and drop – It enables the selection and relocation of an object from one place to another. Place the mouse pointer over an object, then drag it by holding down the mouse’s left side.
Scroll – Use the scroll wheel on the mouse to move the page on the screen up or down.
Blocking – Another method of selecting text is blocking. It is applied to text that has to be formatted or altered. Hold down the left button while clicking at the start of the phrase or sentence to highlight it in black as you drag the text. Release the left button after the text or sentence has finished.
The logistical support for efficient and effective typing is provided by typing ergonomics. To achieve and maintain accuracy and speed, they are crucial. Some of these contributing factors are listed below.
Sitting posture
Sit upright and slightly bend your neck forward while using the keyboard. Examine your seating posture and comfort. Touch the lowest part of the chair’s backrest with the lower part of your back. Put both feet on the ground.
Position of hands
Put your hands down and your forearms level with the keyboard. Straighten your wrists and let your elbows hang freely. Avoid touching your elbows to your body and staying too far away. Bend with a 90-degree angle about it.
Monitor placement
When using a monitor, avoid bending your neck and keep the screen’s upper border at eye level. The size of the screen affects how far away it is from the user. Keep a distance of roughly 60-65 cm for a 17-inch screen.
Mouse and keyboard placement
Maintaining a 20 cm gap between the keyboard and mouse will aid in the keyboard’s fluid and seamless operation. The users can work more easily if their elbows, keyboard, and mouse are all the same height.
Chair and table placement
Set the computer table and chair at the ideal height. The computer user’s chair needs to support his or her lower back.
Placement of matter to be typed
Put the text to be typed on the sloping surface of a copy holder, preferably to the left or right of the keyboard.
Allocation of keys to fingers
The keyboard learning process starts from the second row (Home Row) followed by the Third Row (Upper Row), First Row (Bottom Row) and the Fourth Row (Number Row).
Allocation of keys to fingers on the second row (home row)
Place four fingers of each hand on Home Keys . The remaining two keys ‘g’ and ‘h’ on the second row are operated by the forefingers (Index Finger) of left and right hand, respectively.
Allocation of keys to fingers on the third row (upper row)
Learning the key-reaches from the Home Row to the row above it is the next phase. The reaches from “a” to “q” by the left hand little finger and from “;” to “p” by the right hand little finger serve as the foundation for learning. The third fingers (sometimes known as the “Ring fingers”) are then placed on top of the adjacent “w” and “o” keys, and so on.
Allocation of keys to fingers on the first row (bottom row)
After learning how to operate keys on Home Row and Third Row, the next step is to learn how to operate keys
on the First Row. Keys Z, X, C, V, B, N, M, Comma, Full Stop and ‘/’ sign are located on this row
Allocation of keys to fingers on the Fourth Row (Number Row)
In this row, type 1, 2, 3 with little, ring and middle 9fingers of the left hand, respectively, and 4 and 5 with
the index finger (forefinger). Similarly type 0, 9, 8 with little, ring and middle fingers of right hand, respectively,
7 and 6 with index finger (forefingers).
Efficient and effective use of numeric keypad is important in numeric data entry. The numeric keypad has four
columns and five rows. The row which has 4, 5, 6 and + is called Home Row. This is the row which is initially practiced by a touch typist.
The following points may be kept in mind for successful keyboarding techniques.
Press the keys with feather touch and do not put undue pressure.
Rest your fingers on Home row while typing.
Allow your fingers to fall naturally on the keys so that each rests on top of the next key along the
same horizontal row.
While typing, release the key immediately as soon as you press it. Holding the key for long time, will
repeatedly type the same character.
Do not look at the keyboard while practicing.
Press the keys with equal intervals of time in rhythm.
Press the keys only with the fingers allotted for them.
While pressing a key, say slowly pronounce the character on the key.
Do not take any mental stress while typing.
Secure typing ergonomics.
Maintain patience if committed mistake at initial stage.
Maintain a balance between speed and accuracy, as both are equally important. Do not sacrifice
accuracy for speed.
To gain mastery of computer keyboard, undertake repeated practice of typewriting words, sentences, passages and figures without looking at the keyboard.
There is a wide variety of free software available that has been specifically designed to teach typing quickly and effectively.
Introduction to Rapid Typing Tutor
Rapid Typing Tutor is a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) designed to learn typing skills on the computer.
Touch typing rules
The F, D, S, A, and J, K, L, ; keys (on a QWERTY keyboard) represent the base position. Keyboards usually have small protrusions on the F and J keys. They help your fingers locate the base position
Colour coding shows which finger should press each key (see the picture above). The left index finger is reserved for all the red keys. The right index finger is reserved for green keys, and so forth. Use the thumb of whichever hand is more convenient for you to press the Space key.
The base position on the numeric pad is the number 5 key for the middle finger, 4 for the index finger, and 6 for the ring finger. The numeric pad simplifies and speeds up numerical data input.
Uppercase letters and symbols appearing on keys in the numbers row are typed by one hand with the little finger of the other hand holding down the SHIFT key.
Do not look at the keyboard. Try to locate the right key with your fingers.
The colour indication is as follows:
• Green letters denote right inputs.
• Yellow letters stand for right inputs exceeding the acceptable timeframe.
• Red letters denote wrong inputs within the acceptable timeframe.
• Orange letters indicate wrong inputs that also exceed the acceptable timeframe (it’s the worst result).
Working with lesson editor
Lesson Editor window is composed of the following controls –
Taskbar which allows to select the keyboard layout and level of the lesson to edit.
Toolbar which includes Basic_lesson1 or lesson 2…., for inserting text.
Navigation Tree which shows the existing courses and lesson hierarchy.
Text Panel, an area where you can edit the text of the lesson currently selected in the Navigation Tree.
Lesson Metrics which displays the number and percentage of words, characters, spaces and specific characters in the lesson.
Keyboard, which is the virtual keyboard that highlights the characters used in the currently selected lesson. You can customise its appearance in the ‘Lesson’ section.
Calculating the typing speed
The typing speed can be measured with different accuracies, such as
How many words are typed for a certain time period (the least accurate)?
How many characters are typed for a certain time period?
How many keystrokes are made for a certain time period (the most accurate)?
Also there are
Simple speed (Gross speed)
Net speed (takes into account the errors)
The following table lists the detailed descriptions of typing speed types.
Types
Description
Formula
WPM
the number of words typed in
a one minute period of time
WPM = ( Words without errors + Words with errors ) / Time spent in minutes
Net WPM the WPM without words withb errors
Net WPM = WPM – ( Words with errors / Time spent in minutes )
CPM the number of characters typed in a one minute period of time
CPM = ( Characters without errors + Characters with errors ) / Time spent in minutes
Net CPM the CPM without characters with errors
Net CPM = CPM – ( Characters with errors / Time spent in minutes )
KPM the number of keystrokes in a one minute period of time
KPM=(Keystrokes without errors + Keystrokes with errors ) / Time spent in minutes
Net KPM the KPM without keystrokes with errors
Net KPM = KPM – ( Keystrokes with errors / Time spent in minutes )
A student typed 240 characters per 2 min with errors in 20 characters.
Simple speed = 240 characters / 2 min = 120 cpm
Net speed = 120 cpm – ( 20 errors / 2 min ) = 100 net cpm
Typing accuracy
Typing accuracy is defined as the percentage of correct entries out of the total entries typed. The following table lists the different formulas for the typing accuracy calculation.
Description
Formula
Accuracy in the words,
percent Accuracy = ( 100% – Words with errors * 100%) / Total number of words
Accuracy in the characters,
percent Accuracy = ( 100% – Characters with errors * 100%) / Total number of characters
Accuracy in the keystrokes,
percent Accuracy = ( 100% – Incorrect keystrokes * 100%) / Total number of words
Typing rhythm
Description
Formula
Errors in the words,
percent Errors % = Words with errors * 100% / Total number of words
Errors in the characters,
percent Errors % = Errors = Characters with errors * 100% / Total number of characters
Errors in the keystrokes,
percent Errors % = Incorrect keystrokes * 100% / Total number of keystrokes
Description
Formula
Slowdown in the words,
percent Slowdown % = Words with delay * 100% / Total number of words
Slowdown in the characters,
percent Slowdown % = Characters with delay * 100% / Total number of characters
Slowdown % in the keystrokes,
percent Slowdown % = Keystroke delay * 100% / Total number of keystrokes
Overall rating calculation
Overall rating (%) = ( Net speed / Course goal: Speed)
*100% where:
• Net speed is Net WPM, Net CPM or Net KPM, the value depends on the current options
• Course goal: Speed is customized in the options for each course
Good typing speed
The fastest typing speed on an alphanumeric keyboard, 216 words in one minute, was achieved by Stella Pajunas in 1946.
As of 2005, writer Barbara Blackburn was the fastest alphanumerical English language typist in the world, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. Using the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard, she maintained 150 wpm for 50 minutes, and 170 wpm for shorter periods. Her top speed was 212 wpm.
Unit – 2 Data Entry and Keyboarding Skills
1. What is a touch typist?
Answer – A touch typist is someone who types without looking at the
keyboard. Muscle memory helps the user remember where the keys
are available. Touch typists position their fingers in the center of the
row and know which finger to move and how much to move it in
order to reach any key.
2. Discuss the various types of keys available on a computer keyboard.
Answer – The various types of keys available on a keyboard are –
a. Alphanumeric keys – The entire alphabet (A-Z) as well as numerals
(0-9) are available on the keyboard.
b. Punctuation keys – All of the punctuation keys, such as the comma
(,), period (. ), semicolon (;), brackets ([]), and parenthesis ( ) and so on.
c. Alt Key – The Alt key stands for Alternate key, functions similarly to
a second control key.
d. Arrow keys – The cursor can be moved up (), down (), right (), or
left () with the four arrow keys.
e. Shift or Alt keys – To move the cursor in multiple positions at the
same time.
f. Backspace key – Deletes the character just to the left of the cursor
and moves the cursor to that position.
g. Caps Lock key – It’s a toggle key that changes all alphabetic
characters to uppercase when pressed.
h. Ctrl key – The control key is used in conjunction with other keys to
produce control characters.
i. Delete key – The Del key deletes the character or chosen item at the
current cursor position, but it does not move the pointer.
j. Enter key or Return key – It’s used to type commands or move the
pointer to the next line’s beginning.
k. Esc key – To send special codes to devices and exit (or escape) from
applications and tasks, press the Escape key.
l. Function keys – F1 through F12 are special keys. Depending on
whatever software is running, these keys have distinct meanings.
3. What is numeric Keypad?
Answer – When entering large amounts of numeric data, a numeric
keypad is used. This keypad functions similarly to a calculator. It is
usually found on the right side of the computer keyboard.
4. Differentiate between Home Keys and Guide Keys.
Answer –
Home Key – Home keys for the left hand are ASDF, and home keys for
the right hand are (semi-colon) LKJ.
Guide Key – The keys ‘F’ and ‘J’ on a computer keyboard are known as
left and right hand guide keys, respectively.
5. What do you understand by Guide Keys? Name the Guide keys.
(a) computer keyboard
(b) typewriter
Answer – Guide keys are those keys that aid in the placing of
fingertips on the Home keys.
a) Computer Keyboard – The keys ‘F’ and ‘J’ on a computer keyboard
are known as left and right hand guide keys, respectively.
b) Typewriter – The two keys ‘a’ and ‘(semi-colon) ;’ on a typewriter
are known as guide keys, and they are depressed with the left and
right hand little fingers, respectively.
6. Explain the role of typing ergonomics.
Answer – The logistic support for efficient and effective typewriting is
provided by typing ergonomics. It is critical to achieve and maintain
precision and speed.
The elements that are considered are listed below.
a. Sitting posture – Sit upright and slightly bend your neck forward
while using the computer keyboard.
b. Position of hands – Place your hands down and your forearms at a
level with the keyboard.
c. Monitor placement – While working on the monitor, avoid
bending your neck and keep the screen’s upper border at eye level.
d. Mouse and Keyboard placement – Keep the keyboard and mouse
at about a 20-centimeter spacing apart to provide smooth and
effortless keyboard use.
e. Chair and table placement – Adjust the height of your computer
chair and table to your liking.
f. Placement of matter to be typed – Place the content to be typed
on the left or right side of the keyboard, preferably on a slanted Copy
Holder.
7. Why the use of various typing software is common now-a-days?
Answer – There is a lot of free software available that is tailored to
help you learn typing quickly and successfully. Benefit of typing
software is we can learn typing easily in the home, for jobs prospective
also typing software will help you.
8. Mention the finger allocation of keys of the Bottom Row of computer keyboard.
Answer – Mastering typewriting skills entails gaining the essential
knowledge and expertise of keyboard operation through proper finger
positioning. Place four of each hand’s fingers on the Home Keys. The
forefingers (Index Finger) of the left and right hands control the last
two keys on the second row, ‘g’ and ‘h.’
9. Give some successful keyboarding tips?
Answer – For good keyboarding techniques, keep the following
elements in mind.
• Use a light touch and avoid putting too much pressure on
the keys.
• When typing, keep your fingertips on the Home row.
• Allow your fingertips to naturally fall on the keys, resting
on top of the next key in the same horizontal row.
• As soon as you press a key, release it as soon as possible.
Holding the key down over an extended period of time
causes the same character to be typed repeatedly.
• When practicing, don’t look at the keyboard.
• Press the keys in a rhythmic pattern with equal intervals of
time.
• Only use the fingers that have been assigned to the keys.
• Pronounce the character on the key slowly while pressing
it.
• Don’t put yourself under any mental strain when typing.
• Comfortable typing ergonomics
• Be patient if you make a mistake at the beginning.
• Strike a balance between speed and accuracy, as they are
both critical. Don’t let speed get in the way of accuracy.
• To master the computer keyboard, practice typing words,
sentences, passages, and figures without looking at the
keyboard on a regular basis.
•
10. What are the color indication in a typing tutor software?
Answer – The following is the colour code –
• Green letters indicate right inputs.
• Yellow letters denote right inputs that are longer than the
permissible timeframe.
• Wrong inputs within the permissible timeframe are
indicated by red letters.
• Orange letters denote incorrect inputs that also exceed the
permitted timeframe (worst case scenario).