WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

1. WHAT IS A COMPUTER? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7cXEOWAStq4

2. ERGONOMICS • http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8M9HtW_SAQM

3. Let’s Learn How to Key • http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=187744

4. Why is keyboarding important? • Our life is usually centered on computers. Even in school, children bring their laptops to work on their projects and school activities. In the office, computers are also very helpful for filing and other transactions. Life becomes easier and faster because of computers. • However, typing in computers can also be stressful if proper keyboarding is not taken seriously. Keyboarding is typing with the use of the keyboard. In any typing class, the student is taught how to position the fingers so that these will not feel strained and tensed. In keyboarding, there is an appropriate finger for every letter in the keyboard. • If you look on each keyboard, the patterns of the letters are the same (QWERTY). The QWERTY pattern was a standard layout ever since the typewriter was invented. People got used to this layout so this was carried on for computers, laptops, notebooks and even cell phones.

5. Use Touch Typing-- • Touch Typing is typing without looking at the keyboard keys. This typically involves placing the eight fingers in a horizontal row along the middle of the keyboard (the home keys) and having them reach for other keys without having to look down at the key board. • Two - fingered (or four - fingered) Hunt-and-Peck typists have to look at the keyboard for every letter or every few letters they type.

6. Benefits of Touch Typing-- • Increase in speed and efficiency - more time for you! • Increased effectiveness - you can focus on the output instead of the keys producing an increase in quality. • Less mental fatigue - Touch Typing is less demanding as it involves muscle memory and, once mastered, you no longer have to focus on two issues; locating the keys and what is on the screen. With Touch Typing, you can focus on output alone. • Less physical fatigue - spreading the load between all your fingers reduces the physical stress on individual fingers. The “Hunt-and-Peck” method produces keying habits that limit speed and proficiency. While “Hunt-and-Peck” typists can reach speeds of about 37 words per minute (wpm) for memorized text, and 27wpm when copying text, the average Touch Typist reaches 50 to 70 wpm while some reach 80 to 95 wpm and Touch Typing experts can work at speeds above 120 wpm.

7. Something to think about-- • Handwriting has a speed of approximately 20 wpm • A skilled Touch Typist can have a speed of 80-100 wpm • A Hunt-and-Peck typist, on the other hand, may type as slowly as 10 wpm, especially if the typist needs to look at a source document. • You could save yourself days of time per year using Touch Typing!

8. Consider the ADDITIONAL BENEFITS-- Whatever speed non-touch-typists achieve, it is usually accompanied by several ‘downsides’: • much looking up and down, • a lot of correcting of mistakes (and the accompanying frustration that causes!) • poor posture, with tension or pain in the arms, wrists, shoulders and neck.

9. What if you, or your employees, were free from these burdens? • Employee well-being, sickness costs and quality of work can all be positively affected! • Staff can sit upright, arms relaxed, eyes up, typing accurately and steadily…

10. In fact, whatever the effect on your typing speed, becoming a touch typist delivers you, and your business, other valuable benefits – making it easier to: • Stay relaxed (physically) and upright at ones desks • Avoid RSI risks (reducing the dangers, and costs, of sick leave) • Remain calm, positive & focused while using a computer • Concentrate on the quality and purpose of one’s work, rather than the distractions of ‘hunting’ letters and deciding which finger to ‘peck’ them with this time.

11. Ergonomics— • “Ergonomics” is the applied science of the designing a workspace to increase productivity and to limit injury fatigue, and discomfort. It is important to set up a keyboarding station with an ergonomic chair, and adjust the computer components to the correct height and location for the user. It is most important that the student learn correct keyboarding technique in order to avoid future injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

12. Continuation… Correct technique at the keyboard enables you to key with increased speed and accuracy for longer periods of time. Correct technique is not only important for greater efficiency and accuracy, but also physical well-being. Keying for extended periods, rest your eyes occasionally by looking away from the monitor. Change position, walk around, or stretch when your muscles feel tired. Following these steps can help you avoid long-term bodily damage such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

13. Keep in mind these ergonomic changes you can make before you start to key: • Adjusting the position of your computer keyboard to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome • Being sure that the height of your desk chair allows your feet to rest flat on floor • Pull your keyboard down to the edge of the desk before you start to key • Use correct keying technique with straight wrists