HARDWARE AND NETWORKING SERVICE

LEVEL – I
Based on March 2022, Curriculum Version 1

Module Title: Develop Computer Keyboard Skill

Module code: EIS HNS1 M03 0322
Nominal duration: 16 Hour

Unit Two:- Identify and develop keyboard skills

August, 2023
Bishoftu, Ethiopia
 Unit Two: Identify and develop keyboard skills
This unit is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following content coverage
and topics:
 Identify and apply keyboard functions for both alpha and numeric keyboard functions

 Identify and apply Amharic and English keyboard functions/skills

 Apply touch typing technique to complete a task .

 Develop speed and accuracy

This unit will also assist you to attain the learning outcomes stated in the cover page. Specifically, upon
completion of this learning guide, you will be able to:

 Obtain appropriate peripherals devices

 Enter peripherals into equipment inventory
 Validate delivered physical components
 Store peripherals

2.1 Identifying Keyboard functions

Keyboarding is an input device that enables you to enter information to the computer and its layout is
viewed hereunder.
Some basic keyboarding skills that you are expected to know are:

 Word process, spreadsheets and or data entry

 Speed and accuracy

TYPES OF KEYS: Though there are several input devices viz. mouse, touch screen, character/ voice
recognition etc. used for giving input to the computer, yet the use of keyboard is the most common
method adopted for input of data into a computer. Commonly, a computer has a keyboard that looks
like a typewriter keyboard. However, a computer keyboard contains additionally certain keys which are
also used to give commands to the operating system of a computer. A computer keyboard contains the
following types of keys:
Some Keyboarding functions/features are listed as follows:
 Function keys (F1 to F12) are special keys that are programmed to do specific things. For example,
if you tap the F1 key, the Help menu will appear.
 Cursor control keys. Use the cursor control keys on the keyboard to move your cursor (mouse
pointer) around a document.
 Use the four arrow keys to move one space or one line.
Page 1 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1
Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
  Use the Page Up and Page Down keys to move one screen (rather than a page) up or down.
 CTRL and ALT keys. The Control and Alternate keys are always used in combination with other
keys. Holding down one or both of the keys, while tapping another key, can provide keyboard
shortcuts – quick ways of doing things using the keyboard.
For example: Ctrl+N brings up a new document.
 Alphanumeric keypad. Use the alphabet keys to type words. Although the tops of the keys show
the letters as capitals they will appear as lower case letters unless you use the shift or caps lock keys.
The home keys are the alphabet keys that your fingers will use as a ‘base’. Each finger rests on its
home key when not typing. Learn to use Numerical key properly (touch-type) if you regularly enter
numbers. It’s quicker, and easier on your wrists, than using the numbers above the letter keys.
 Space bar. Tap this to put a space between words.
 Shift Keys. To capitalize letters you can use shift keys (left or right) for a single letter. For
example to capitalize letter F you should press right shift key with your right small finger and
press F with your left index finger at the same time.
 Caps Lock key. To capitalize a word or phrases at a time you can use shift lock/cap lock. To do
this, depress the shift lock key or cap lock key and leave it down until you have typed the
combination to be capitalized.
 keyboard shortcuts
 Punctuation keys: The keys used for inserting various punctuation marks are period (full stop),
comma, semicolon, brackets, apostrophe, parenthesis etc. Also, it includes all of the mathematical
operators such as the plus sign, minus sign, and equal sign.
 Special keys: Understanding the keyboard also means learning the special functions of certain keys.
Commonly used special keys are explained as under:

 Ctrl Key: The full form of Ctrl is Control. This key is used in combination with other keys.
For example, Ctrl+S to save a document

 Alt Keys: The full form of Alt is Alternate. It is used like a control key. You depress
Ctrl+Alt+Del simultaneously when you want to get out of computer as the application on
which you are working is held up or muddled up

 Arrow Keys: There are normally four arrow keys to move the cursor - up, down, right or
left. The Arrow Keys can also be used in conjunction with the Shift or Alt keys
 Enter Key: Also called Return Key. It is used to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line
and give line spaces.
 Backspace Key: This key deletes the character just left to the cursor position and hence moves
Page 2 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1
Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
 the cursor to that position.
 Delete (Del) Key: This key deletes the character to the right at the current cursor position or
the selected objects.
 Caps Lock: It is a toggle key that helps in typing many uppercase characters
 Esc Key: It means Escape which is used to exit (or escape) from programs and tasks and send
special codes to different devices.

Fig keyboard function

2.1.1 Cursor and monitor controls
These are keys found between the typing keypad and the numeric keypad. It has two groups of keys,
arranged top and bottom.
The top keys holds Insert, Home, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and End keys.
2.1.2 keyboard shortcuts
There are a lot of computer shortcuts keys that can make using a computer faster and easier In computer a
keyboard shortcut also known as hotkey is a series of one several keys to quickly invoke software program
To do this Press
Cancel an action. ESC
Undo an action. CTRL+Z
Redo or repeat an action CTRL+Y
Print CTRL+P
Copy CTRL+C
Cut CTRL+X
Paste CTRL+V
Open new document CTRL+N
Indentation CTRL+M

Page 3 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
 Close opened windows Alt+F4
Make the text bold style CTRL+B
Make the text italic style CTRL+I
Underline text CTRL+U

2.2 Basic touch typing techniques

Learn how to type accurately and increase your speed
Touch Typing Course or Mavis Beacon is a professional typing tutor that helps you "how to type" in
order to increase your typing speed and accuracy. It takes very little time to learn to type, allowing you to
develop a skill that will help you for a lifetime! Save yourself hours of time and learn to touch type. This
course has also touch typing tests with goals to set and achieve.
Keyboarding functions should be easily identified in order to develop speed and accuracy in accordance to
the workplace requirements for the level of responsibilities. In order to perform required tasks at required
speed and accuracy touch typing technique should be applied.
Touch typing technique/skill can be developed by memorizing the keyboarding functions and the keys
and their corresponding fingers.

Fig 2.2.1.1 Touch typing technique

Home keys their corresponding fingers
A left small/little finger J right index/pointer or forefinger
S left ring finger K right middle finger
D left middle finger L right ring finger
F left index/pointer or forefinger ; right small/little finger

Groups or family letters of the home keys are the diagonal letters or letters nearer to the home keys such
as A families are Q, Z, 1
Hence, memorization of home keys and their corresponding fingers enables you develop high speed and
greater accuracy in your performance at work.

Page 4 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
Hence, in order to develop keyboarding skills, application software is required to install in the computer
which is Mavis Beacon.
2.2.1 What is Mavis?
Mavis is application software that enables you to develop keyboarding skills.
When you acquired the basic keyboarding skills using this software, you can Type Better - Email Faster -
Work Smarter! Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing has many features that help young typists stay motivated!
Mavis Beacon Teach Typing is a typing training program that offers great benefits for any user, from
students just starting out, to professionals looking to squeeze a few more emails into the work day.
With an all-new user interface and re-designed features and functionalities, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
may not look familiar, but it still provides guaranteed improvements in only 2 weeks!
1. Practice Area
Mavis Beacon lets you choose what you use to practice your typing. Select from hundreds of articles and
passages covering a wide variety of topics and subjects including literary classics, history, autobiographies
and poetry.
2. Typing Games
There are some typing games designed to improve your speed, accuracy.
Progress Tracking & Reporting
Mavis Beacon tracks your performance over time and provides a series of reports so that you can
understand and review your progress.
Steps to use Mavis Beacon
Point to start button
choose all programs
explore Mavis Beacon from the list of all programs
Click Mavis Beacon or if the icon is on the desktop double click it
If you are a new user click on the new button
enter your name
select English, standard and then adjust your typing goals in words per minute
then click ok
then click ok again
Click takes a lesson
click first beginner lesson, if you are a beginner
Click start
Then type the keys using the appropriate finger as you are instructed by the program.

Fig2.2.1 mavis teaches typing

Page 5 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
2.2.2 The Amharic keyboard layout
This keyboard layout is specifically designed for those users not familiar with conventional Amharic
Typewriter layout. Follow these steps to activate phonetic keyboard layout,
Click on Power Ge’ez icon located at Windows taskbar
The icon will change from
Click on ኢ again go to into phonetic UNICODE mode (ፎ) User must select power Ge’ez
UNICODE Font to do word processor

Figure 1 - Power Ge’ez 2010™ Phonetic

When Power Ge’ez is in Normal Phonetic Mode (ኢ) users must select power Ge'ez1 Unicode 1, power
Ge'ez2 Unicode 2 or power Ge'ez3 Unicode 3 fonts. When Power Ge’ez is in Phonetic UNICODE Mode
(ፎ) users must use Power Geez UNICODE 1, Power Geez UNICODE 2, or Power Geez UNICODE 3 fonts

u i A y e O
H G G< H> H H@ I J
L K K< K= L K? M KA
H N O N= P N? Q R
M S S< T> T T@ U V
S W W< X> X X@ Y Z
R [ \ ] ^ _ ` A
S c c< c= D c? e F
Q k l m N o p Q
B u u< u= V u? w X
T } ~ + • ‚ ƒ „
C † ‡ ˆ ‰ Š ‹ Œ
N ’ ’< ’> “ ’@ ” •
N – –< –> — –@ ˜ ™
X › ›< ›= Œ ›? • *
K Ÿ Ÿ< Ÿ= " Ÿ? ¡ ¢
W ¨ ¬ © ª « ¨< -
X ® ®< ¯> ¯ ¯@ ° ±
Z ² ²< ²= ³ ²? ´ µ
Z ¶ ÿ ¸ ¹ º » ¼
Y ¾ ¿ À Á Â Ã Ä
D Å Æ Ç= Ç È É Ê
J Ë Ì Í= Í Î Ï Ð
G Ñ Ñ< Ñ> Ò Ñ@ Ó Ô
T Ö Ö< Ö= × Ö? Ø Ù
C Ú Û Ü Ý Þ ß À
Phonetic Regular Keystrokes

Page 6 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
 u i a y e O

P â ã â= ä â? å Æ

F ð ñ ò ó ô õ Ö
P ø ù ú û ü ý Þ

V y y< y= z y? { |
1
Q àG H G: I G;, J K

Continued - Phonetic Regular Keystrokes

The àG character is available on Ge'ez-1 Number for non-UNICODE mode.

u I a Y e o
H Ž Ž< Ž> • Ž@ • ‘
H ¤ ¤< ¤= ¥ ¤? ¦ §
S g g< g= h g? i j
T ç è ç= é ç? ê ë
T ì ì< í= í í@ î ï

Phonetic with the CAP LOCK key ON

lwa LD Nwa š bwa vD Cwa á

mwa TE Zwa ³D twa … tswa éD

rwa b Zwa ½ cwa • fwa ÷

swa dD Dwa ÇD nwa “E vwa zE

shwa hD Jwa ÍD Twa ×D sft+2 ·

Irregular Keystrokes I with CAPS key ON

o i u a E
Kw ŸA ŸC ŸB "D £

Gw ÑA ÑC ÑB Õ ÑF
Qw r kC kB s T

Hw ŽA ŽC ŽB ŽE ŽF

Phonetic Irregular Keystrokes II with Caps Key ON

Note: When Power Ge'ez is in non-UNICODE mode, the .available on Ge'ez-1 Numbers font. When
Power Ge'ez is in UNICODE mode the above two characters will be available on all UNICODE fonts.
Key Pressed 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Key Pressed 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Key Produced * ) ! V # $ % & W (
Key Produced 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Fig 2.2.2.6 Keys pressed with the CAPS LOCK key on Fig 2.2.2.7 Ge'ez Numbers

Page 7 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
Amharic Typewriter Keyboard Layout
This keyboard layout is useful for users who are already familiar with the conventional Amharic
typewriter machines. Follow these steps to activate Amharic Typewriter keyboard layout,
 Click on Power Ge'ez 2010™ icon located at Windows taskbar until the image changes as shown below.

Power Ge'ez Typewriter

 Click on icon again to go into Typewriter UNICODE mode. When Power Ge'ez is in TU mode users
must select Power Ge'ez UNICODE font on the word processor.

2.2.2.9 Typewriter Unicode

2.3 Developing speed and accuracy
Checking Accuracy of Your Work
When you have completed typing a document, you need to check to make sure that it is free from errors.
Most organizations have a policy that says all documents should be free from spelling and punctuation
errors. Errors can have practical consequences – they can cause misunderstandings, offend people or, in
the case of an incorrect address, result in mail not being received. As well, when errors are left in a
document, the organization looks unprofessional.
2.3.1 Checking the content
If you are the writer, it is essential that you check the content. Think about the purpose of the document
and consider whether what you have written will achieve this. Ask yourself:
 Have all the relevant points been covered?
 Who will be reading the document?
 Are the style and ‘feel’ appropriate?
 How will the reader feel when he or she reads it? (Imagine that you are the reader)
This is particularly important when writing a letter or a document that you want someone to respond to. If
you have typed a document written by someone else, it is still sensible to be aware of the content. You
might notice something important that the writer overlooked. What you do about content issues will
depend on your role in the organization and your relationship with the writer.
2.3.2 Checking the spelling
You can use the computer’s Spelling and Grammar check to help you identify spelling errors. It is a
good tool but can’t be relied on as it has limitations:

• Any word that is not in its dictionary is identified as a possible error

Page 8 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1
Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
 • It will only tell you if a word has been spelt wrongly.

Hence, the following subtopics enable you to check errors and amend the errors.

To keep a check on your speed and accuracy, set your targets for every day and for every week.
Measure your performance regularly in the form of a chart till you achieve your set goal.

Example: speed and accuracy. Count the words above (6)

Tips for improving speed and accuracy

 Use your developing touch-typing skills whenever you use the keyboard.
 Record your progress. Many programs record the speed and accuracy with which you do the
exercises or provide speed and accuracy results after you have completed a set piece of text.
 When you finish the course, consider redoing it at a higher level. Set higher speed and accuracy
goals first.
 If you have been touch-typing regularly your speed and accuracy will have improved significantly.

Typing positions
Know how about the typing position is important and typical typing positions are hereunder:
 Eyes on copy
 Fingers curved and upright
 Forearms parallel to slant of keyboarding
 Sit back in chair, body erect
 Text book or material you copied from which should be at the right side of a machine and elevated
for easy reading
 Table free of unneeded books or materials
2.3.3 Typical finger positions
 Let your hands hang loosely at your sides. Your fingers will relax in curved position.
 With fingers curved in this relaxed position, lightly place fingertips of your hands on home
keys ( left home keys are A,S,D and F and right home keys are J, K, L and ;).
Reach techniques for keys other than home keys. You can reach other keys by moving up and down with
your corresponding fingers. Example, you can reach down letter Z with left small finger and you can also
reach up letter U with right first finger.
Operation sheet 2
Operation sheet 2.2 OPERATION TITLE: keyboard touching technique
PURPOSE: the purpose of the operation sheet is to show all necessary conditions and steps in typing
on keyboarding.
Page 9 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1
Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
CONDITIONS OR SITUATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS: before starting using typing on
keyboarding first identify the task and lesson requirements on typing the data and other all things to be
completed.
EQUIPMENT TOOLS AND MATERIALS: Computer, Mavis application
PROCEDURE: Choose Mavis from all programs or from desktop
 Click new and write new name if you are new user
 Check English and standard option and then click ok
 Click ok
 Select lesson
 Select beginner lesson
 Click start
PRECAUTIONS: Be careful from touching any electric power and save your documents properly before
you close your program.
QUALITY CRITERIA: you should reach the required speed and accuracy.

Operation sheet 2.1

Title:- Applying touch typing technique to type home keys
Instructions to operate home keys

A is typed with the left small finger

S is typed with the left ring finger

D is typed with the left middle finger

F is typed with the left forefinger

J is typed with the right forefinger

K is typed with the right middle finger

L is typed with the right ring finger

; is typed with the right small finger

Instructions

1. Do not look at the keyboard.

2. Each letter should come beneath the other.
3. Concentrate your mind on the text.
4. Typing should be done quite accurately with constant rhythm.
5. Repeat this process until mastery over this exercise.

Page 10 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023
Operation sheet 2.2

Title Applying touch typing technique to write letter e, t and n

e is typed with the d finger

t is typed with the f finger
n is typed with the j finger

Instructions
1. Do not look at the keyboard.
2. Each letter should come beneath the other.
3. Concentrate your mind on the text.
4. Typing should be done quite accurately with constant rhythm.
5. Repeat this process until mastery over this exercise
Operation sheet 2.3

Operation sheet 2.2.2 Applying touch typing technique to write Amharic and English Letter

asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh

asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh

ኢ
asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh asdfg;lkjh fads lall
ንተርኔት ማለት በተለያየ ዓለም ክፍሎች ኮምፒውተሮች በስልክ መስመሮች bút§YTÂ
bl¤lÖCM ytlÆ ymg¾ t½KñlÖ©þãC (communication technologies) bm¬gZ
y¸gÂßùbTÂ mr©Â mLXKT y¸lêw«ùbT TLQ xlM xqF n¤TwRK wYM yGNßùnT
mrB nW\\ yzþh xYnT ÷MP†téCN bn¤T wRK ¥gÂßT ytjmrW bx»¶µ mk§kÃ
Äþ-RTmNT WS_ bxAHét ÝL (DARPA) tBlÖ Y«‰ bnbr yMRMR tÌM WS_
nbR\\ SlzþHM YH y÷MP†tR n¤TwRK ymjm¶Ã SÑ DARPANet nbR\\ qSbqS GN
†nþvRsþtEãC q_lÖM yNGD tÌ¥T yzþH xYnTn¤T wRK WS_ ÷MP†téÒcWN
sþÃSgbù t½KñlÖ©þWM kx»¶µ w_è l¤§WN yxlM KFL sþÃÄRS |Internet ´ y¸L Sû ts«W\\
bxhùnùgþz¤ btlÆ yxlM KFlÖC y¸gßùbBzù ¸lþ×N y¸ö«„ ÷MP†téC kxþNtRn¤T y¸q§qlù
÷MP†téC wYM t«Ý¸ãC qÜ_R bkFt¾ F_nT Xy=mr Yg¾L\\

Instructions
1. Do not look at the keyboard.
2. write Amharic and English letter
3. Concentrate your mind on the text.
4. Typing should be done quite accurately with constant rhythm.
5. Repeat this process until mastery over this exercise

Page 11 Bishoftu Polytechnic College Version -1

Author/Copyright Develop Computer Keyboard Skill
September, 2023