Good Posture & Keyboard Layout

 

GOOD KEYBOARDING POSTURE

• Good posture is a very important part of the keyboarding process.
• Lack of good posture can cause, see: http://www.nimblefingers.com/k_carpal.htm:
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury
  • Achy Muscles
  • Tired and/or numb limbs
• Here are some general guidelines for posture while using the computer:
  • Sit all the way back in your chair. Your back should be straight.
  • Your feet should be flat on the floor.
  • Your elbows should be relaxed at your sides.
  • Stand and Stretch every 20 minutes or so.
  • Helpful sites:
    • http://www.nimblefingers.com/a_exer.htm
    • http://www.socs.k12.in.us/schools/ovhs/School_web/ergonomics.htm
  • Keep your wrists up off of the keyboard. Keep them straight
  • Your fingers should arch down and rest on the home row keys
    • Home row: A S D F J K L ;
    • You thumbs should rest lightly on the space bar.
    • http://www.socs.k12.in.us/schools/ovhs/School_web/facts_&_history1.htm#keyboard
  • Your fingers should bounce as you strike the keys

KEY LOCATIONS ON THE KEYBOARD

• Score: 50 points , Due: Jan. 6, 2005
• Read a little about the history of keyboards
  • Considering Qwerty: http://home.earthlink.net/~dcrehr/whyqwert.html
  • Early Typewriter History: http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/Dvorak/history.html
• Identify the fingers used for each key. Use the keyboard provided.
  • Follow the directions to color the fingers and their corresponding keys. Colors:
    • Gray
      • Fingers: none designated
      • Left Keys: Windows
      • Right Keys: Windows, Command
    • Blue
      • Fingers: Left & Right Little Fingers
      • Left Keys: ~ 1 Tab Q Caps A Shift Z Control Alt
      • Right Keys: 0 - + Backspace P [ ] \ ; ' Enter ? Shift Alt Ctrl
    • Red
      • Fingers: Left & Right Ring Fingers
      • Left Keys: 2 W S X
      • Right Keys: 9 O L .
    • Green
      • Fingers: Left & Right Middle Fingers
      • Left Keys: 3 E D C
      • Right Keys: 8 I K ,
    • Yellow
      • Fingers: Left & Right Index Fingers
      • Left Keys: 4 5 R T F G V B
      • Rigth Keys: 6 7 Y U H J N M
    • Pink
      • Fingers: Left & Right Thumbs
      • Key: Space Bar

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

• There are several basic Windows Shortcuts that will come in handy during this course.
  • You will be given a copy of the short list to study these words
    • http://www.cowden-herrick.k12.il.us/staff/burruscasey/eLearning/key/short/index.htm
  • Study these words
  • Complete the Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
    • http://www.cowden-herrick.k12.il.us/staff/burruscasey/eLearning/key/short/cross.htm
    • Use your study list.
    • Score: 100 points , Due: Friday, January 13th

KEYBOARD BINGO

• Throughout the quarter, we will play Keyboard Bingo
  • Purpose: to help students begin identifying key placements on the keyboard.
• Teacher will distribute copies of the blank keyboard
• Key Caller will call keys one by one
• Students will write in called keys on their correct locations
• First one to complete a row correctly wins a treat
• Today, we will play with the computer keyboards visible to you
  • Later, we will play without having the keys to look at
  • You will need to learn where the keys belong to continue winning.