COMPUTER

KEYBOARD
QUARTER 2, LESSON 1
Objectives:

At the end of this modules, learners will be able to:

1. identify the different parts and the use of the keyboard;
2. explain why keyboarding skills are important;
3. discuss and display proper keyboarding posture;
4. demostrate understanding of hand and finger placement for
proper keyboarding.
COMPUTER KEYBOARD
A computer keyboard is an input
device that allows a person to enter
letters, numbers, and other symbols
(these are called characters in a keyboard)
into a computer. It is one of the most
used input devices for computers. Using a
keyboard to enter lots of data is called
typing.
Parts of a Keyboard
1. Typerwriter/Alphanumeric Keys
- The general typing area is dominated by the 46 alpha-
numeric keys. These keys include the same letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys found in a traditional
typewriter. The standard layout for this part of the keyboard
is the QWERTY layout, which dates back to 1878. .
- Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination
with other keys to perform certain actions. The most
frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the Windows
logo key and ESC.
2. System Keys
- this is what we so called “Windows key”. The Windows key has the
Microsoft logo on it and is found between the left Ctrl and Alt keys
on the keyboard. Pressing the Windows key by itself opens the Start
menu.
-Holding down the Windows key and pressing another key, to trigger
a keyboard shortcut, can speed up common tasks. For example, the
keyboard shortcut Windows key+E (press and hold the Windows key
and then, while holding that key, press the E key, and then let go of
both buttons) opens Windows Explorer.
3. Application Key / Menu Key
- it serves as the right click of your keyboard.
4. Function Keys
- The function keys or F keys are lined along the top of the
keyboard and labeled F1 through F12. These keys act as shortcuts,
performing certain functions, like saving files, printing data, or
refreshing a page. For example, the F1 key is often used as the
default help key in many programs. The F5 key is used in an
Internet browser to refresh or reload a web page. The function of
these keys can differ by operating system and by software
program.
5. Numeric Keypad
- is the palm-sized, 17-key section of a standard computer
keyboard, usually on the far right. It provides calculator-
style efficiency for entering numbers. A numeric keypad may
also be a separate device that connects to a computer. To
enable and disable the numeric keypad, press Num Lock.
6. Cursor Control Keys
- Arrow keys or cursor movement keys are buttons on a
computer keyboard that are either programmed or
designated to move the cursor in a specified direction.
Arrow keys are typically located at the bottom of the
keyboard to the left side of the numeric keypad, usually
arranged in an inverted-T layout but also found in diamond
shapes and linear shapes.
7. Enter Keys
- the Enter key sends the cursor to the next line or executes
a command or operation. Most full-sized PC keyboards have
two Enter keys; one above the right Shift key and another
on the bottom right of the numeric keypad.
8. Others – composed of escape(esc), Light Indicators, Print
Screen and others.
USING THE
KEYBOARD
 Whether you’re writing a letter or entering
numerical data, the keyboard is the main way to
enter information into the computer. But did
you know you can also use the keyboard to
control your computer? Learning just a few
simple keyboard commands (instructions to
your computer) can help you work efficiently.
Typing Text
Whenever you need to type something in a program, e-mail
message or text box, you’ll see a blinking vertical line (l).
That’s the cursor, also called insertion point. It shows where
the text that you type will begin. You can move the cursor
by clicking in the desired location with the mouse, or by
using the navigation keys.
In addition to letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and
symbols, the typing keys include SHIFT, CAPS LOCK, the TAB
key, ENTER, the SPACEBAR and BACKSPACE.
 KEYNAME HOW TO USE IT
SHIFT Press SHIFT in combination with a letter to type an
uppercase letter. Press SHIFT in combination with
another key to type the symbol shown on the upper
part of that key.
CAPS LOCK Press CAPS LOCK once to type all letters as
uppercase. Press CAPS LOCK again to turn this
function off. Your keyboard may have alight
indicating whether CAPS LOCK is on
TAB Press the TAB key to move the cursor several spaces
forward. You can also press the TAB key to move to
the next text box on a form.
ENTER Press ENTER to move the cursor to the beginning of
the next line. In a dialog, press ENTER to select the
highlighted button.
SPACEBAR Press the SPACEBAR to move the cursor one space
forward.
Using keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are ways to perform actions by using the
keyboard. They’re called shortcuts because they help your work
faster. In fact, any action or command you can perform with a mouse
can be performed faster using one or more keys on your keyboard.
In Help topics, a plus sign (+) between two or more keys indicates
that those keys should be pressed in combination. For example,
CTRL+A means to press and hold CTRL and then press A.
CTRL+SHIFT+A means to press and hold CTRL and SHIFT and then
press A.
Find program shortcuts
You can do things in most programs by using the keyboard. To see which commands you have
keyboard shortcuts, open a menu. The shortcuts (if available) are shown next to the menu
items.
Choose menus, commands and options
You can open menus and choose
commands and other options using
your keyboard. When you press ALT
in a program with menus, one letter
in each of the menu names become
underlined. Press an underlined
letter to open the corresponding
menu. Press the underlined letter in
a menu item to choose that
command.
 Using the numeric keypad
The numeric keypad arranges the numerals
0 through 9, the arithmetic operators +
(addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication)
and / (division), and the decimal point as
they would appear on a calculator or
adding machine. These characters are
duplicated elsewhere on the keyboard, of
course, but the keypad arrangement allows
you to rapidly enter numerical data or
mathematical operations with one hand.
 Tips for using your keyboard safely
Using your keyboard properly can help avoid soreness or injury to your wrists,
hands and arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods of
time. Here are some tips to help you avoid problems:
1. Place your keyboard at elbow level. Your upper arms should be relaxed at
your sides.
2. Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric
keypad, you can use the space bar as the centering point.
3. Type with your hands and wrist floating above the keyboard, so that you can
use your whole arm to reach distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
 Tips for using your keyboard safely
4. Avoid resting your palms or wrists in any type of surface while
typing. If your keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during
breaks from typing.
5. While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.
6. When you’re not typing, relax your arms and hands.
7. Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20minutes.
 Cleaning the Keyboard
A dirty keyboard doesn't look nice, and can cause your keyboard
to not work properly. Dust, food, liquid, or other particles can get
stuck underneath the keys, which can cause them not to work.
Check your owner's manual to see if the manufacturer has
provided you with instructions for your specific keyboard. If so, you
should follow them. If not, the following steps are basic cleaning
tips that will help you keep your keyboard clean:
1. Unplug the keyboard from the USB or PS/2 port. If the keyboard is
plugged into the PS/2 port, you will need to shut down the computer
before unplugging it.
2. Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to remove dirt
and dust.
3. Use a can of compressed air to clean between the keys.
4. Moisten a cotton cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol, and
use it to clean the tops of the keys. Do not pour alcohol (or any other
liquid) directly onto the keys.
5. Reconnect the keyboard to the computer once it is dry. If you are
connecting it to a PS/2 port, you will need to connect it before
turning the computer on.