Proper Keyboarding Technique

Body Position

Sit up straight, rear to the back of the seat

Face keyboard with body centered

Sit at a comfortable distance from the keyboard

Feet flat on the floor, slightly apart

Arm Position

Hang elbows naturally near the sides of the body

Hold forearms parallel to the slant of the keyboard

Align keyboard with the edge of the desk

Hand Position

Fingers curved and upright

Tips of fingers lightly touching keys

Hands are still while fingers reach

Wrists and palms are low, off the keyboard

Eyes

Off of the keyboard at all times.

Keystroking

Hold anchors while reaching to the upper and lower keys

Fingers are slightly curved over home row position

Make quiet, direct reaches with quick return to home row

Maintain an even keystroking pace

Correct Fingering

Key each key with the correct finger

Notice diagonal design of the keyboard

Spacing

Key the space bar with the thumb of the right hand

Sweeping motion, into the palm of the right hand

Shift

Shift with the correct finger

Hold shift key down while striking key with the opposite hand

Immediately return finger to home row after releasing shift

Return/Enter

Use little finger of right hand to strike the enter key

Immediately return finger to home row after releasing enter

Keep j finger anchored