Keyboarding Test - October 1st, 2008

Please open your MicroType 4 Program and go to your Alphabetic Keyboarding Lessons. Go to Lesson 13 - "Review" and click the Tab "Timed Practice" on the right side - select ONE MINUTE and do the timing with the MASK ON. Press the Enter key at the end of each line and do not press Enter twice at the end of the first paragraph, just type the same paragraph again (without double-spacing between the paragraphs). You may repeat these timing two more times and give me your best one. You may print each Timed Practice separately, when you complete one, go to the Lesson Report and print it; then repeat the timing and print the Lesson Report a second time, etc. Give Mrs. Feld your best timing.

Remember: at this point I prefer ACCURACY than SPEED! Don't get in the habit of "backspacing"...

Thank You.

September 25, 2008

To date we've covered the following in class:

1) Ergonomics and the importance of ergonomics in our world. Ergonomics is the science concerned with designing safe, comfortable and efficient machines, environments and things (in general - like furniture, equipment and facilities) for humans. Following ergonomic rules will increase your speed and accuracy at the computer as well as helping your body cope with long sessions at the keyboard. Ergonomists attempt to make work and its environment better.

2) History of the Typewriter. Who invented the typewriter? When was it invented? Who invented it?

3) Computer Concepts - we learned some important things about computers, like: What is a computer? What is software? What are the two main types of software? What is hardware? What are input devices and some examples? What are output devices and some examples? What are processing devices and some examples? What are storage devices and some examples? What is computer memory? What are the two main types of memory? What are bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes and gigabytes? What are binary numbers? What are computer languages and some examples? What are networks? What is the Internet? What is the World Wide Web? What is telecommunications? What is a Web Site? What is a Web Page? What is a Web Browser? What is the URL? What is a domain name? What is http? What are URL identifiers and some examples? What are copyrights and why are they important?

Please study your notes on Ergonomics and Computer Concepts for the Test on October 1st, 2008.

You are also working on your Keyboarding Lessons (MicroType 4 Program). Please continue doing so concentrating on ACCURACY! If you feel that you must repeat some of the lessons or exercises, please do so. It is essential that you complete these lessons only after having mastered the exercises. Don't forget to read the techniques and instructions carefully! Also, try to be consistent - consistency is very important. If you find yourself typing certain combinations of letters very slow and others very fast, you must repeat some of the exercises (or lessons). Once the keyboarding lessons start including more words in the exercises, typing will start becoming easier - as long as you follow the directions carefully and uses consistency. Persevere and be patient, typing will become easier and soon you'll find yourself typing words and combinations of words a lot faster. The important thing at the beginning is, I repeat, ACCURACY!

You should be able to Map to the K Drive by now. If you are still having problems doing so, please let Mrs. Feld know. Thanks for your patience and cooperation, I appreciate you good work!

Keyboarding Classes 2008-2009

Welcome Class! First you will learn about "Ergonomics" and "Ergonomists" and their importance. Make sure you understand what these terms mean. Also a little bit of history about the keyboard. Who invented the "Type Writer" and the "QWERTY" Keyboard? Why is the layout of the keyboard the way it is?

You will also learn about the Home Row Keys and which is the correct "fingering" - which fingers type which keys.

We will review some important "Computer Concepts": What is a Computer? What is Hardware? What is Software? What are Input Devices? What are Output Devices? What are Processing Devices? What are Storage Devices?

We will also start with the first MicroType Keyboarding Lessons (Lessons 1 - 20) - "Alphabetic Keyboarding". Initially, you will enter these lessons as a "Guest"; until the system allows us to connect to the Labserver properly and you can then be able to enter the program as a "User". Take these lessons seriously; they will teach you to type the proper way and use the right fingers. You will use the "keyboard mask" at all times. Also, please read the instructions and techniques shown on each lesson carefully! At first, you will concentrate in "accuracy" (not speed). As you become better at typing, you will start working on "speed". Remember: the first goal in Keyboarding Class is to learn the Home Row Keys and to learn to type accurately.

If you need to, repeat the lessons until you feel confident that you learned the right fingering.

QUIZ: Thursday, September 18, 2008 (will include what you have learned in class up to Wednesday, September 17, 2008)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Communication is important!