1. Computer Skills and Applications
Module 2 Notes
Computer Skills and Applications

2. Proper Keyboarding Posture and Techniques
Sit up straight
Feet flat on the floor
Body centered in front of the computer
Elbows naturally by side
Fingers curved
Wrists low, but not touching the keyboard
Quick, snappy strokes
Quick, down-and-in motion of the thumb
Right little finger used for the enter key; other fingers remain on the home row
Use the appropriate little finger for the shift keys

3. Work Area Arrangement Keyboard directly in front of chair
Keyboard even with edge of desk
Monitor placed for easy viewing
Disk drives placed for easy access
Copy to the right of the keyboard

4. 1.01 Vocabulary – Implement proper keyboarding techniques
Technique – The form and keying style that a typist uses while operating the keyboard
Touch-Method – To key by touch rather than by the hunt-and-peck method
Posture – The way the typist sits, the way the typist’s arms, wrists, fingers legs and feet are placed
Work Area – Arrangement of the keyboard, copy, mouse, and other materials on the desk

5. Touch Method of Keyboarding
Examine the keyboard carefully to form a mental picture of the layout.
Keep your eyes on the copy.
Place your fingers on the center of each key with the fingers slightly curved.
Keep your wrists straight, low, and not touching the machine.
Strike the keys firmly and release them quickly.
Do not look at your fingers while striking the keys. Eyes on copy!!

6. Computing GWAM
Keyboarding speed is measured in words per minute. GWAM (Gross Words A Minute) is the number of keystrokes a typist can make in a timed period. A standard keyboarding word is five characters or any combination of five characters or spaces.
The following sentence has how many standard keyboarding words?
All middle school students should learn to keyboard.
(Answer: There are 55 characters and spaces in this sentence so there are 11 standard keyboarding words in the sentence (55 characters/spaces divided by 5).

7. To determine your keyboarding GWAM
Type for a specific number of minutes as directed by your teacher.
Determine the number of standard keyboarding words you keyed. Remember every five strokes (characters and spaces) count as one word.
Divide the total number of words keyed by the number of minutes that you were timed.

8. 1.02 Vocabulary – Execute the touch method in operating the alphabetic keys.
Alphabetic Keys – Letter keys on the keyboard
Enter/return – Used to move the cursor down a line
GWAM (Gross Words a Minute) – The number of keystrokes a typist can make in a timed period; can calculate by dividing the total number of standard words keyed by he number of minutes that the typist was timed.
QWERTY Keyboard – The most commonly used keyboard arrangement
Space bar – Used to insert spaces between characters
Standard Keyboarding Word – Five characters of any combination of five characters and spaces.