Proper Keyboarding Techniques (Ergonomics) Majority of information and pictures taken from www.typingpal.com

The Importance of Typing Correctly Typing properly forms the foundation for successful touch keyboarding. The importance of demonstrating and using proper techniques can not be overemphasized. It is extremely important to develop good keyboarding habits right from the beginning. In keyboarding there are 3 goals to be reached in this order: technique- using your keyboard and workstation in the proper way accuracy- making few errors speed- keying at a good rate How do you become good at keyboarding/ typing? Practice, practice, practice!!!!!!!!

Our first focus is on proper keyboarding techniques. It is very important to use proper techniques in order to type well and be comfortable. The study of this is called ergonomics- the study of the interaction between people and their work environment and making things better (safe, efficient, and comfortable) with the human body. Developing a comfortable work position always helps to work better.

Incorrect Correct

Fingering Keep fingers curved slightly like a claw on the home row keys. Strike key with proper finger and then return finger to proper home row key. Do not remove your hand(s) from the resting position on the home row keys. Please do not use the “hunt and peck” method or the “peck and peak” method. The raised lines/bumps/“finger feelies” on the F and J key help you find the home row keys. Strike the keys in a quick, snappy motion. Press lightly on the keys. Too much pressure may repeat the character. Begin and end all key strokes at home row position.

Space bar: Depress the space bar with the thumb of your right hand Space bar: Depress the space bar with the thumb of your right hand. Keep all fingers in home position when striking space bar. Strike the space bar with a quick motion. Do not pause before or after striking the space bar. Shift key: Shift quickly with the appropriate little/pinky finger. Keep the rest of the fingers on the home row keys. Hold down the key completely and then return the finger to the home position. Do not pause before or after operating the shift key. Use the left shift when keying a character on the right side of the keyboard and the right shift when keying a character on the left side of the keyboard. Enter/Return key: Use the little/pinky finger of the right hand for the enter/return key. Keep your other fingers in home position. Strike the key quickly. Return finger to home position quickly. Keep eyes on copy/monitor while using key. Do not pause before or after striking the key. Tab Key: Use the little/pinky finger of the left hand to strike the tab key. Keep your other fingers in home position. Strike the key quickly. Do not pause before or after striking the key.

Body Posture Your silhouette sitting down must look like a staircase. This good posture ensures minimal injuries/tension. Your back/trunk must remain vertical/straight and lean slightly on the back of the chair forming a somewhat 90 degree angle with the seat.

The thighs and the legs must form a 90 degree angle. Feet must be flat on the floor. One foot should be slightly ahead of the other for good balance. The forearm and the arm should form a 90 degree angle.

The top of the screen must be aligned directly with the eyes. Keep your wrists low. Do not let your wrists rest on the keyboard. Move the mouse with your forearm, not just your wrist. Your hands should be close enough together to "lock" thumbs. Monitor should be an arm’s length away from you and the keyboard should be at the edge of the table at about a hand’s span away.

Eyes Keep your eyes on the copy/monitor. Do not look at the keyboard. It is okay to look at the keyboard when you are first learning a key. The top of the screen must be aligned directly with the eyes. During a work session, the eye is the most called upon organ. Many people suffering from headaches, dizziness, or sight problems neglect their visual comfort.

As with driving a car, working in front of a screen can become “hypnotizing.” Be careful of this. At regular 10-minute intervals, lift up your eyes and look straight ahead, at least 15-20 feet. Make sure there is no glare coming from your screen. Copy is kept on the right (on a stand if possible) if right-handed and vice versa if left.

Never strain your eyes in order to see better Never strain your eyes in order to see better. Blink your eyes or look straight ahead to re-establish your focus. Avoid any light reflecting on the screen. It is obviously NOT recommended to work with the lights turned off. There is not enough light coming from your screen to read without straining your eyes.

Consequences of Improper Keyboarding Carpal tunnel syndrome- a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist causing symptoms like tingling, numbness, pain, and sometimes weakness in parts of the hand. Repetitive strain injury- Overuse of the muscles of the hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders on a repeated and usually daily basis causes injury to these muscles. This results in inflammation that never really is given a chance to recover, since the activity that causes it usually continues.

Be Careful The human body does not tolerate sustained and repetitive efforts well. Be careful and take breaks frequently to relieve any numbness in legs or arms. It is better to divide your work periods and to take frequent short breaks. Do some stretching exercises. Change your work position frequently without neglecting good back posture. Take breaks every 30-60 minutes. During that time, get up and stretch.

Learn and use key stroke combinations (keyboard shortcuts) instead of mouse-activated menus. It is not recommended to engage in intensive and continuous use of the mouse, especially if it is not at the same level as the keyboard. REMEMBER TO MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS USE PROPER KEYBOARDING TECHNIQUES! IT MAY BE FRUSTRATING AT FIRST, BUT THESE METHODS MOST BE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES!!!

Describe why these are examples of poor typing techniques WHEN’S THE GAME??? http://padlet.com/MrsCJMitchell/PosturePostB

Describe why this is an example of good typing techniques http://padlet.com/MrsCJMitchell/PosturePost2B

VISUAL AIDS

Wrists off the Keyboard/Table

How Important are Proper Keyboard Techniques? 9. Speed 10. Accuracy