Technique

After Lesson 10, you will come on campus for a Technique Check. I will use the form below to evaluate your technique as I watch you type the paragraph shown at the bottom of this page to be sure you are using acceptable technique.

	You MUST use the correct fingers on all the keys and be able to type by touch (without looking).
	You don't need to type fast or be concerned with a few errors. You DO need to type with acceptable technique on all the areas indicated on the Keyboarding Technique form below. The shaded areas on the chart below must be rated either Acceptable or Needs Improvement in order to pass Keyboarding.

Note: Many students have problems with the keys listed below, so make sure BEFORE you come in that you are using the correct fingers; otherwise, I will have to schedule ANOTHER technique check for you and this becomes very time consuming:

C		Typed with the D finger; see Lesson 3.
X		Typed with the S finger; see Lesson 7.
B		Typed with the F finger; see Lesson 7.
Period		Typed with the L finger; see Lesson 4.
Left Shift		Hold the left shift down when you capitalize any letters typed with the right hand; see Lesson 6.
Right Shift		Hold the right shift down when you capitalize any letters typed with the left hand; see Lesson 4.

Technique

Acceptable

Needs Improvement

Not Acceptable

Eyes on copy

Correct finger reaches (strikes key with correct finger)

Continuity (keyboard without hesitation) and accuracy

Body, hand, finger, wrist, and arm position

Stroking technique (quick strokes; fingers return to home position)

Enter (J finger on home row)

Shift (F/J fingers on home row)

Tab (F finger on home home)

Rating

Excellent—Uses acceptable technique consistently

Very Good—Uses acceptable technique most of the time; needs some minor improvement

Needs Improvement—Needs several improvements

Unacceptable—Needs major improvement(s)

Click the image below to see it full size, then
click your browser's Back button to return to this page.

Technique Check Directions: Follow the directions below to practice typing this paragraph at home so that when you come in for your technique check, you are ready to go after a short warm-up.

Practice typing the copy in the second box below without looking at your hands or the computer screen. Keep your eyes on the copy at all times.
You do not have to type fast, just carefully using good technique. Do not correct errors as you type.
Remember to press the Tab () key at the start of the paragraphs. Press the Enter (¶) key twice between paragraphs.

Note: If you are interested in learning about preventing RSI (repetitive stress injury), check out these sites:

	http://www.tifaq.org/
	http://www.ics.uci.edu/~truesdel/comphealth2.htm

Note: If you would like to fill out a questionnaire to find out if your workstation is ergonomically designed, check out this site (an Ergonomics Society Registered Consultancy) located in England:

http://www.openerg.com/dse/mainform.htm