Lesson

Introduction to Keyboarding
1
Keyboarding is a valuable and necessary skill for everyone in this technological
world. It is an expected tool for effective communication throughout one’s life. Students
who resort to “hunting and pecking” to key their school assignments are constantly
searching for the correct letter on the keyboard. Frustration abounds for students who
wish to key their research report into the computer, but do not have the touch keyboarding
skills required to accomplish the task quickly and proficiently. Students who can key by
touch are much more
relaxed because they can keep their eyes on the screen and concentrate on text editing
and composing.
Some people claim that voice-activated computers will replace the need for
keyboarding. Voice activation currently works best in conjunction with keyboarding. The
first draft of a document can be inputted using voice; the draft is then edited using the
keyboard. Together, this process can greatly speed work performance.
MAIN PARTS OF COMPUTER
The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer
case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. Each part plays an important
role whenever you use a computer.

The computer case is the metal and plastic box

that contains the main components of the computer,
including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and
power supply. The front of the case usually has an On/Off
button and one or more optical drives.

The monitor works with a video

card, located inside the
computer case, to display
images and text on the screen.
Most monitors have control
buttons that allow you to
change your monitor's display settings, and some monitors also have built-in speakers.

The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many
different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the
same basic tasks.

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly
known as a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the
screen, click on them, and move them.

INTRODUCTION TO KEYBOARDING
Keyboard is a set of keys that enables you to enter data into computer. It is the main
input device of the computer. It has many keys which can be pressed to make characters
like numbers, letters or symbols appear on the screen. However, to produce some
symbols requires to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys
simultaneously and this process can produce some actions or execute computer
commands as well.

KEYBOARD LAYOUTS

There are a number of different arrangements of alphabetic, numeric, and

punctuation symbols on keys. These different keyboard layouts arise mainly because
different people need easy access to different symbols, either because they are inputting
text in different languages, or because they need a specialized layout for mathematics,
accounting, computer programming, or other purposes.

Keyboards are basically of TWO TYPES:

1. QWERTY : Qwerty refers to the type of

keyboard on a standard English. The name
was given from the first six letters on the row
above the home row keys. This layout is most
widely used because of its convenience and
universal standard.

2. DVORAK : Dvorak keyboard is the type of

keyboard used for speed typing. The most
commonly used letters are arranged in home
row which makes it easy to type. Dvorak is
 designed differently for left handed and right handed people. It makes typing easier
to one hand people.

THE POINTER

When using a computer, the keyboard works with the Mouse and screen to help you
enter information. The pointer on the screen is moved by moving the mouse. It has a
variety of shapes to indicate its current behavior.

The arrow is the normal state for the pointer.

The pointing hand indicates your mouse is over
a link, that will take you to another page.
The I-beam indicates that you are in an area of
the screen that contains text. It sometimes
indicates where you can type.

THE FLASHING CURSOR

The flashing cursor, or caret, is a flashing vertical line that appears when you are
working in a document or filling in a form. It is the insertion point; it indicates where text
will be inserted when you type. If you don't see the flashing cursor, you cannot type. Point
the mouse and click where you would like the cursor to appear.

Occasionally, a blue block will appear where you click. This means you moved the
mouse when you clicked, selecting or highlighting the text. To remove this blue block,
just click once in the desired location, making sure you do not move the mouse.

PARTS OF THE KEYBOARD

The QWERTY keyboard, or Universal Keyboard is named for the first six letters on
the second row. It is the standard keyboard format for most computers.
CHARACTER KEYS
The character keys are the standard
keys that were found on a typewriter--mostly
numbers and letters. A lowercase letter is
typed when one of the letter keys is
pressed. The lower number or symbol on
the key is typed when a number or symbol
key is pressed.

SPACE BAR
The Space Bar inserts a space. It is used
to separate words.

SHIFT KEY
A capital letter is typed when you hold
down the Shift key and press a letter key.
The top symbol is typed when you hold down
the Shift key and press a number or symbol
key.

CAPSLOCK KEY
The Caps Lock key is used to type in ALL
CAPITALS. Notice the Caps Lock light on the
keyboard. It indicates that Caps Lock mode is
on or off.

BACKSPACE KEY
The Backspace key is an editing key. It
erases the character to the LEFT of the cursor, one
at a time. Note the arrow on the key.

ENTER KEY
The Enter key enters information or moves the
cursor to the next line. Notice that there
are two Enter keys on a standard keyboard. Older
keyboards sometimes label it the Return key.
TAB KEY
The Tab key moves the flashing cursor to the
next tab stop.
When filling in a form, the Tab key will often move
your cursor to the next box.

NAVIGATION KEYS
Navigation keys help you move the flashing
cursor.

ARROW KEYS
The arrow keys move the flashing cursor in the
direction of the arrow. Text is not erased or changed
when you use the arrow keys.

DELETE KEY
The Delete key is an editing key. It erases the
character to the RIGHT of the cursor, one at a time.

PAGE UP & PAGE DOWN

 Page Up - moves the flashing cursor UP one
page length. Can also be used to scroll in web
browsers.
 Page Down - moves the flashing cursor DOWN
one page length. Can also be used to scroll in
web browsers.

HOME AND END KEYS

 Home - moves the flashing cursor to the
beginning of the current line.
 End - moves the flashing cursor to the end of the
current line.
INSERT KEY
Insert - an editing key used to switch between
two text-entering modes, Insert and Overstrike.
The function has been turned off in Word 2010 and
can be turned on in File/Options Advanced/Use the
Insert key to control overtype mode.

NUMERIC KEYPAD
The numeric keypad makes it easy to type
numbers quickly and with only one hand. The Num
Lock key activates the numbers. When Num Lock is
off (look at the "1" light), the keys perform the
functions on the lower half of the keys.

FUNCTION KEYS
The function keys or F-keys on a computer
keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys with a
special function defined by the operating system or
the running program. They may be combined with
the Alt or Ctrl keys.

FUNCTION
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
KEYS

F1  Used as the help key in almost every program. Opens a help screen
when this key is pressed.

 In Microsoft Windows, renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all

versions of Windows.

F2 


In Microsoft Excel, edits the active cell.
Alt+Ctrl+F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
 Ctrl+F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
 Rename a selected file or folder.

F3  Often opens a search feature for many programs, including Microsoft

Windows when at the Windows desktop.
  In some programs, after an initial search is performed, F3 finds the
next search value.
 In MS-DOS or Windows command line, F3 repeats the last command
entered.
 In Microsoft Word Ctrl+F3 lowercases any highlighted text.
 Shift+F3 changes the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lowercase
or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
 Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft
Outlook.
 In Windows Explorer, start the search function.
 Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X
operating system.
 Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
 Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
 Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).

F4  Alt+F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft

Windows.
 Ctrl+F4 closes the open window or tab in the active window in
Microsoft Windows.
 In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 refreshes or reloads the
page or document window.
 Ctrl+F5 forces a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache

F5 
and downloading all contents of the page again.
Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
 Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
 Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
 Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla

F6 
Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
 Reduce laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
  Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in
Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.

F7 


Shift+F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
Turns on Caret Browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
 Increase laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
 Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly
used to access Windows Safe Mode.

F8  Used by some computers to access the Windows recovery system,

but may require a Windows installation CD.
 Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.
 Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
 Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
 Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.

F9 


Reduce laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
With macOS 10.3 or later, displays a thumbnail for each window in a
single workspace.
 Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on
an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.
 In Microsoft Windows, activates the menu bar of an open application.
 Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or

F10 
Internet link.
Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony
computers.
 Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
 Ctrl+F11 as the computer is starting to access the hidden recovery
partition on many Dell computers.

F11  Pressing F11 by itself accesses the hidden recovery partition

on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
 With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows
the desktop.
  Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
 Ctrl+F12 opens a document in Word.

F12 


Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
 Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
 Open Firebug or browser debug tool.

MODIFIERS KEYS AND OTHER LESS USED KEYS

Ctrl - the Control key perfroms a function when pressed in combination with
another key.

KEY COMBINATION MICROSOFT WINDOWS/KDE/GNOME

Ctrl + A Select all

Ctrl + B Bold

Ctrl + C Copy

Ctrl + D Font window (word processing); Add to bookmarks (Browsers)

Ctrl + E Center alignment (word processing)

Ctrl + F Find (usually a small piece of text in a larger document)

Ctrl + G Go to (line number)

Ctrl + H Replace; History

Ctrl + I Italic; Incremental search

Ctrl + J Justify

Ctrl + K Insert hyperlink (word processing)

Ctrl + L Create list; Left align (word processing)

Ctrl + M Increase margin by 1/2 inch (word processing)

Ctrl + N New (window, document, etc.)

Ctrl + O Open

Ctrl + P Print

Ctrl + Q Quit application

Ctrl + R Refresh page; Right align (word processing)

Ctrl + S Save

Ctrl + T Open new tab

Ctrl + U Underline

Ctrl + V Paste

Ctrl + W Close window or tab

Ctrl + X Cut

Ctrl + Y Redo
 Ctrl + Z Undo

Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Z Redo

Ctrl + [ Decrease font size

Ctrl + ] Increase font size

Ctrl + = Toggle font subscript

Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + = Toggle font superscript

Ctrl + End Bottom (end of document or window)

Ctrl + Home Top (start of document or window)

Ctrl + Insert Copy

Ctrl + PgDn Next tab

Ctrl + PgUp Previous tab

Ctrl + Tab ↹ Next window or tab

Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Tab ↹ Previous window or tab

Ctrl + + Grow Screen

Ctrl + - Shrink Screen

Ctrl + ← Previous word

Ctrl + → Next word

Ctrl + Delete Delete next word

Ctrl + ← Backspace Delete previous word

 Ctrl + Alt + ← undefined or rarely used on Windows; restart X11 on Unix-
Backspace like desktops

Ctrl + Alt + ↑ Rotate screen right-side up

Ctrl + Alt + ↓ Rotate screen upside down

Ctrl + Alt + ← Rotate screen left

Ctrl + Alt + → Rotate screen right

Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc Open task manager

Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot; Open task manager or session options

Alt - the Alt key performs a function when pressed in combination with another
key.
 Ctrl + Alt + Delete - used when logging on to a network, also brings up the
Task Manager
 Alt + F4 - to close a program
 Alt + Tab - to switch between open windows.

Windows key - brings up the Start menu when pressed alone. Can also be used
in combination with other keys for a variety of shortcuts.
 Windows key + D - shows the desktop, restores hidden programs when
pressed again.
 Windows key + Down Arrow - restores the window size, or minimizes the
window size.
 Windows key + Up Arrow - maximizes the window size

Print Screen - copies an image of the screen to the clip board. The image can
then be pasted into a document.
SysRq, Scroll Lock, Pause/Break - antiquated keys that are no longer used.
Escape key cancels the current command. Sometimes it is a shortcut to answer
No, Quit, Cancel, Exit or Abort.
 GETTING STARTED WITH TYPING

Even though learning typing seems simple, the right of way learning it will make your
typing skill better. The fingers should be placed in the right place which makes the typing
easier, more accurate and quick.

I. HOME ROW KEYS

Firstly, you learn to type alphabetic keys in the home

row. Place your left index finger on F and your right index
finger on J. To reach letter H use your right index finger
releasing J. To type the G letter use your left index finger
releasing F. .

Stage 1: f d s a j k l

Stage 2: g h

II. KEYS ABOVE HOME ROW KEYS

Now, use your left middle finger (D) to reach the letter E. Use your right middle finger
(K) to reach the letter I. Finally, use your left index finger to reach to R releasing F and
right index finger to reach U. Now reach T with your left index finger (F) and right index
finger to reach Y. Then use your left ring finger (S) to reach W and left ring finger (L) to
reach O. Lastly, use your left pinky finger (A) to reach Q and right pinky finger to reach P.

Stage 3: e i

Stage 4: r u

Stage 5: t y

Stage 6: w o

Stage 7: q p

III. KEYS BELOW HOME ROW KEYS

Now use your left index finger (F) to reach V and to reach M use your right index
finger (J). Use your left index finger (F) to reach B. Then use your right index finger (J)
to reach N. To reach C use your left index or left middle finger. finally, use your right
middle to reach (comma). Use your left middle or left ring finger to reach X and to reach
Z use your left pinky finger (A).
Stage 8: v m

Stage 9: b n

Stage 10: c ,

Stage 11: x, z

IV. DIRECTION KEYS

These keys are also known as arrow keys. It helps to move cursor in the specified
directions. These are located at the bottom of the keyboard to the left side of the numeric
keys. Use your right hand for pressing direction keys. Use your index finger for your left
arrow, middle finger for up and down keys and ring finger for right arrow key.

V. OTHER KEYS

Use your thumbs to press space bar keys.

Shift Key is the modifier key on the keyboard. There are typically two shift keys on
the right and the left side of the keyboard. Use your right pinky finger to press the right
shift key and the left pinky finger to press the left shift key. It is used to type capital letters
and other alternate upper keys.

Alt Key changes the function of the other pressed keys. It is used in a similar fashion
to the shift keys. It is located on the either side of the space bar.

Ctrl Key performs special function when pressed in conjunction with another key.
There are two control keys. One is located on the leftmost side of the keyboard and the
other on the right side near the numeric keys.
 POSITION AND POSTURE

 Sit up straight.
 Place your feet flat on the floor.
 Keep your elbows close to your body.
 Wrists should be straight and forearms parallel to the slant of the keyboard.
 Fingers curved gently over the home keys.

References

1. Book
Keyboarding & Word Processing, Complete
Course, Lessons 1–120, Eighteenth Edition
Susie H. VanHuss, Connie M. Forde,
 Donna L. Woo

2. Website

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/objectives

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-
keyboard/typewriter

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/space-bar

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/shift-key

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/caps-lock-
key

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-
keyboard/backspace

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/enter-
return

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/tab

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/cursor-
control-keys

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/cursor-
control-keys/arrow-keys

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/delete

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/cursor-
control-keys/page-up-and-page-down

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/cursor-
control-keys/home-and-end

https://sites.google.com/site/introductiontokeyboardingcmpld/home/parts-of-the-keyboard/insert

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000306.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_key#Examples

http://write.flossmanuals.net/manual-for-typing-tutorial-with-ktouch/1-introduction-to-keyboard-and-
keyboard-layout/

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/basic-parts-of-a-computer/1/