What is Keyboarding?

Learning how to utilize a keyboard for computer functions and typing. The curriculum is now offered to
elementary school students due to the importance of computer literacy in today's world.
Keyboarding is the act of typing at a keyboard. Key boarding is a class that you can take in school to help you
type the right way and to type faster. It will teach you how to use certain programs.
What are the things to observe in proper keyboarding?
Correct keyboarding technique requires proper positioning at the computer keyboard, using correct hand
position and learning to key by touch thus enabling eyes to remain on the copy rather than watching fingers.
1. Sit up tall, leaning slightly forward.
2. Sit a 'hand span' away from the keyboard. Place keyboard at the edge of the table.
3. Center your body with the 'B' key or center of the space bar.
4. Place your curved fingers on Home Row. Your index fingers should find F and J then, line up the rest of
your fingers.
5. Wrists are level. Hold your wrists off the table or edge of the keyboard. Don't sink down.
6. Feet on the floor. Don't sit on your feet or wrap them around your chair.
7. Eyes on your copy. You should be looking at the paper you are typing from or at the monitor.
Ergonomics is the science concerned with designing safe and comfortable machines for humans. Following
these rules will increase your speed and accuracy at the computer.
1. Proper Height of Your Keyboard. If it is too high, you will have trouble reaching some of the keys. If it is
too low, your shoulders and arms will become tired.
2. Proper Distance from the Keyboard. Known as hand-span. Hand-span tells you how far you should sit
away from your keyboard. If you sit too far away, you will not be able to reach the keys above home row.
If you sit too close, you will not be able to reach the keys below home row.
3. Feet Flat on the Floor. They help balance your body for keyboarding. Crossing your ankles or knees puts a
strain on your spine.
4. Sitting Up Straight. By doing this, it helps you keep your spine straight and comfortable as well as
provide balance.
5. Proper Wrist Position. Dont raise your palms so much that your wrists arch. Maintaining proper wrist
position helps avoid fatigue in your hands. If you wrists rest on your keyboard, this will cause you to
make typing mistakes.
6. Elbows In. Keeping your elbows close to your sides prevents your fingers from coming off home row.
When your fingers come off home row, you then have trouble striking the other keys from home position.
7. Eyes on Copy. If you dont keep your eyes on what you are typing, you will lose time from speed, you
may also type the wrong line, skip words or even repeat a line.
8. Fingers Anchored. While typing, you need to keep your fingers anchored on the home row keys.
When you reach for a key on the top or bottom row, you need to remember to bring your fingers back
to the home row position.
o Maintain good posture
o Keep your body centered with the G/H keys
o Keep your wrists low but not touching the
keyboard or table.
o Use correct fingering based on the home
row keys keeping fingers curved and upright
o Key at a steady pace
o Keep your copy at your side
o Keep your eyes on your copy
o Stay on task and have a positive attitude
toward improving your technique