MicroType 4 and More Computer Concepts

You already started using the MicroType Keyboarding Program. I'm hoping that most of you complete up to lesson 10 of the Alphabetic Keyboarding Lessons by Friday, September 30th. But, please remember: if you feel that you should repeat the lessons, I encourage you to do so (and don't worry too much about this). These first lessons are very important! If you are still having difficulties finding the right keys, or using the right fingers, you must definitely repeat them. As you advance, the lessons will get harder and once you get to the Skill Builder Lessons, you must have very good dominion of the Alphabetic Keys. It will be harder for you to do well on timings, if you don't practice a lot and repeat many of these lessons. The first goal is ACCURACY!

Little by little you'll acquire SPEED. But proper technique and fingering are essential!

We will also continue with the Computer Concepts presentation, to cover the terms mentioned in my previous entry - that we haven't covered yet. You can type your notes and print them for yourselves.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

Welcome Keyboarding Class!

Welcome Class! It is up to you to have a successful and interesting class... I wish you all the best! Please keep in mind the Classroom Policies.

First you will learn some important information about "Ergonomics," and "Ergonomists" and their importance. Make sure you understand what these terms mean (you will also have homework - finding two good definitions of what is ergonomics and why is good posture important). You will learn 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? Also the importance of "Good Posture."

Later you will learn about "Computer Concepts": What is Digital? (watch the movie by clicking the link on the upper right side). What are Bits, Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes? What is a Computer? What is Hardware? What is Software? What are Input Devices? What are Output Devices? What are Integrated Circuits? What are Processing Devices? What are Storage Devices? What are Networks? What is the Internet? What is Connectivity? What are Telecommunications? What are Copyrights?

We will also cover the "Home Row Keys" and which is the correct "fingering" - which fingers type which keys. I will show you an easy way to remember this. You can also check the fingering chart on your tables.

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. Please read the instructions and techniques shown on each lesson carefully! At first, you will concentrate on "accuracy" (not speed). It is essential for you to learn the right fingering and the right techniques. 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, please repeat the lessons until you feel more confident.

Quiz: Thursday, September 22, 2011 (which will include what you have learned in class up to this date - Mrs.
Feld gave you a hand-out with all the presentations she showed).
Test: Thursday, September 29, 2011 (which will include what you have learned in class up to this date).

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

Vocabulary:
Digital, Digital System, Digitize, Bits, Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Ergonomics, Ergonomists, Posture, Christopher Latham Sholes, QWERTY, Computer, Hardware, Input Devices, Memory, Integrated Circuits, Processing Devices, Central Processing Unit, Output Devices, Software, Data Bus, Storage Devices, Inkjet Printers, Laser Printers, RAM, ROM, Network, Server, The Internet, Connectivity, Telecommunications, The World Wide Web (WWW), Web Site, Web Page, Web Browser, Domain, URL, Copyrights.
(The Quiz and Test will only include the vocabulary learned in class up to September 22nd and 29th respectively!)