Proper Keyboarding Technique Adapted from LISD Technology Department

Proper keyboarding technique includes: Correct Posture Correct Body Position Correct Arm and Hand and Feet Position Correct Keystroking Technique

Posture Spine straight leaning slightly forward Centered in front of keyboard Comfortable distance from keyboard Feet on floor, slightly apart Eyes on the screen or the copy I am facing toward my computer

Body Position My Keyboard is at the edge of the table I am a hand span away from my computer. My body is centered with the B and N keys

Feet on the Floor • My feet are on the floor. • My feet are slightly apart. • I feel balanced.

Curved Fingers My fingers are comfortably curved. • My fingers are upright and not leaning. • My thumbs are resting on the space bar. My hands look like “monkey fingers”

Fingers on HOME ROW • My fingers are resting lightly on the TIPS of Home Row keys. • My index fingers are resting on F and J. • With each key stroke my fingers quickly return to Home Row. Not this.. Strive for this

Proper Key stroking Technique Use the tips of your fingers to operate the assigned keys Use a circular, pecking motion (down and inward)

Eyes on Copy My copy is in the right place ( perhaps on a clip board) My eyes are on my copy or my monitor I never look down at my keys

Wrists and Fingers Fingers curved, tips of fingers resting lightly on keys Wrists low, but palms of hands not resting on the keyboard

Quiet Wrists and Elbows • My wrists are level and relaxed. • My wrists are not resting on the keyboard or table. • My elbows are resting naturally at my side. • My shoulders are relaxed. • Forearms nearly parallel with slope of keyboard • Hands and wrists "quiet," almost motionless

Proper Keyboarding Techniques: Eyes on copy - not on hands, the keyboard, or monitor. Keys struck with the proper fingers which remain curved over the home keys. Wrists parallel to the slant of the keyboard but not resting on the keyboard. Chair the proper distance from the keyboard (elbows hanging loosely at the sides of the body). Proper sitting position: back straight, feet placed for balance.

HOME ROW

IF YOU DO THIS . . . You will keyboard faster. You will make fewer mistakes. You will be able to type longer without getting as tired. It will be less likely that you will have health problems with your hands and wrists.

IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT! Created by Caropo T. Sindrum