Typing On A Computer Keyboard - qnWnMQzwTdq0l9rq1tJn

Topic: Typing on a Computer Keyboard
When I am done this lesson, I will know:
• How a keyboard works

• How to type properly using a keyboard on a computer
Pre and Post Self-Assessment
Pre Pre Post Post

Yes, I know this No, I want to Yes, I know this I still need more practice
learn this to learn this
I know what the

keyboard is on a
computer
I know how to
type properly on
a computer
keyboard
New Words and Terms
QWERTY
typewriter
key
circuit
What is a Keyboard?
A keyboard is the panel of keys that you use to operate or tell the computer what to do. It allows you
to input information into the computer.
Page 32
The most common kind of keyboard is called a ‘QWERTY’ keyboard. It is named after the first six keys
in the top row of letters. It was invented by C L Scholes in the 1860s and was first found on a
typewriter. Typewriters were very expensive and keys that were used a lot would clump together. To
avoid one spot wearing out all the time or clumping together, different arrangements of keys were
tested. The layout that became the most common because it prevented keys from clumping together
or wearing out was the QWERTY keyboard. Modern keyboards have the same layout as typewriters.
There is another keyboard layout called the Dvorak keyboard which has all the vowels on the second
row. This is much less commonly used today.
How Does a Keyboard Work?

A keyboard is like a miniature computer. It has its own processor and circuitry that carries information
to and from that processor. The key matrix is a grid of circuits underneath the keys. Each circuit is
broken at a point below each key. When you press a key, it presses a switch, completing the circuit and
allowing a tiny amount of current to flow through. If you press and hold a key, the processor thinks you
are pressing a key repeatedly.
When you press a key, the processor finds the closed circuit and compares the location of that circuit
on the key matrix to the character map in its memory. A character map is a comparison chart or look-
up table. It tells the processor the position of each key in the matrix and what each keystroke or
combination of keystrokes represents. For example, the character map lets the processor know that
pressing the “a” key by itself produces a small letter a, but the “Shift” key and “a” key pressed together
produce a capital A.
Source of How a Keyboard Works: adapted from https://computer.howstuffworks.com/keyboard2.htm

(last accessed April 15, 2019)
Page 33
Most keyboards will look like the one in the diagram below. However, some of the keys may be in
different spots depending on the computer. For example, most laptops do not have a separate number
pad like the diagram below does.
Important Sections and Keys on the Keyboard
Source: https://www.digitalunite.com/sites/default/files/images/keyboard850.jpg
Note: You can use this link to download and print the keyboard diagram above.
Some Keyboarding Basics

The main keys are the letter keys. When you type just using these, you get lower-case print. However,
if you hold down a “shift” key (there are two – one on the left and one on the right) at the same time
as you type, you’ll get UPPER-CASE letters. This also lets you type the symbols you see above the
numbers.
If you make a mistake when you type, it is easy to fix.
If you want to delete a letter, place your cursor (mouse pointer) just after the letter and click. Then
press Backspace. Only press once or it will keep deleting.
Page 34
Or
Place your cursor just before the letter, click and press Delete.
You can move the cursor along a sentence without deleting anything by using the arrow keys:
Source: https://www.digitalunite.com/technology-guides/computer-basics/using-computer/how-
usecomputer-keyboard
CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What is the name of the most common type of keyboard?
The best way to learn how to type on a computer keyboard properly is to practice. GCFGlobal has a
typing tutorial that will allow you to learn how to type on a QWERTY keyboard. This tutorial has several
sections and will take a few weeks to complete. Typing.com allows you to set up a free account that
saves your progress as you learn to type.
Page 35
TRY THIS/PRACTICE
Use this interactive tutorial to learn to type on a Source: GCFGlobal.org

QWERTY keyboard. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/typing/
Or
Sign up for a free account on Typing.com. You https://www.typing.com/

can use this site to learn how to type, take tests
and play typing games. The account will save
your progress.
OPTIONAL: I WANT TO LEARN MORE

Click on the links below to practice typing using a variety of free games.
Type for Your Life: https://games.sense-lang.org/type4life/
Typing Alien: https://games.sense-lang.org/typingAlien.php
Typing Long Jump: https://games.sense-lang.org/longJump.php
Kayak Game: https://games.sense-lang.org/kayak/
Typing Olympic: https://games.sense-lang.org/olympic/
Balloon: https://games.sense-lang.org/EN_BalloonG.php
Chameleon: https://games.sense-lang.org/EN_ChameleonG.php
Page 36
Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework Connection
Competency Task Group(s)

Find and Use Information • Read Continuous Text (L3)
• Interpret Documents (L2 - keyboard)
• Extract Information from Films, Broadcasts and
Presentations (not levelled)
Communicate Ideas and Information • Complete and Create Documents (L2- make entries
using limited range of vocabulary)
Using Digital Technology • Follow Simple Prompt (L1)

• Use Basic Word Processing Software
• Create a New User Account (L2)
Page 37

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Topic: Typing on a Computer Keyboard

When I am done this lesson, I will know:

• How a keyboard works

Pre and Post Self-Assessment

Pre Pre Post Post

I know what the

New Words and Terms

How Does a Keyboard Work?

Source of How a Keyboard Works: adapted from https://computer.howstuffworks.com/keyboard2.htm

Important Sections and Keys on the Keyboard

Some Keyboarding Basics

If you make a mistake when you type, it is easy to fix.

CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Use this interactive tutorial to learn to type on a Source: GCFGlobal.org

Sign up for a free account on Typing.com. You https://www.typing.com/

OPTIONAL: I WANT TO LEARN MORE

Type for Your Life: https://games.sense-lang.org/type4life/

Typing Alien: https://games.sense-lang.org/typingAlien.php

Typing Long Jump: https://games.sense-lang.org/longJump.php

Kayak Game: https://games.sense-lang.org/kayak/

Typing Olympic: https://games.sense-lang.org/olympic/

Competency Task Group(s)

Using Digital Technology • Follow Simple Prompt (L1)

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