Course Information

Course Description:

KEYBOARDING is designed to teach students the keyboarding skill on the microcomputer. No prior knowledge or experience using a computer is necessary. Step-by-step instructions are provided on basic computer operations including turning on the computer, starting software, printing, saving, and turning off the system. This module has been written especially for the computer user who needs to learn to operate the keyboard with working-level proficiency. Word processing is the most widely used application on the computer; therefore, students will spend the majority of their time learning the alphanumeric keys. Spreadsheet is the second most popular application. The numeric keypad lessons will provide students with the keypad skills needed to use a spreadsheet.

Course Goal: Keyboarding will teach students to key the letters, numbers, symbols, and numeric keypad of the keyboard by touch. With the touch method, fingers strike the correct keys without looking from the copy to the keyboard. Students' learning will be supplemented with speed-building and accuracy drills to provide them with the skills necessary to compete in today's society.

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to: 

• Demonstrate correct posture and position at the microcomputer.

• Explain and demonstrate good key stroking technique.

• To learn to key alpha and numeric data efficiently and effectively.

• To master alphabetic reaches.

• To key "by touch" without looking at fingers or the keyboard.

• To key at a minimum rate of 25 or more corrected words per minute (cwpm).

• To operate selected service keys.

• To master figure (top-row) key-reaches.

• To master selected symbol key-reaches.To edit (proofread and revise copy).

• To measure straight copy keyboarding skill.

• To learn operating techniques of the numeric keypad on a computer keyboard.

• To learn key locations on the numeric keypad.

• To gain knowledge of keyboarding and document processing terminology.

Introduction to Keyboarding - 2 hours
Getting Started Online - .5 hours
How This Course Works - .5 hours
Navigating the Keyboard - 3 hours
Learning the Alpha Keys - 6 hours
Learning the Alpha Keys 2 - 6 hours
Completing the Alpha Keys - 6 hours
Building Skill - 3 hours
Numeric Keypad - 3 hours

Prerequisites and Corequisites:

You will be using the latest version of the popular assessment and teaching software, Keyboarding Pro, which offers learning of the alphabetic, numeric, skill building, and keypad functions with 3-D animation, realistic hand models, and audio instruction. You will not need to purchase the textbook since I have keyed all the text in for you in the modules. The CD contains 20 lessons of skill building which includes the following:

• Interactive videos allowing student users to move models to learn and review proper hand positioning;
• 3-D models enable students to move models and view proper hand positioning from all angles;
• Space after period preference gives the user the flexibility to have one space or two following a period in a sentence;
• E-mail Send File feature is ideal for submitting assignments;
• Arcade-style games provide a fun way to practice.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com

System Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. Secific hardware requirements for this course include...

The following minimum system requirements are necessary to run the Keyboarding Pro Multimedia software:

• IBM PC (or 100% compatible) with 486DX/66 MHz or higher processor

• 8 MB RAM required, 16 MB recommended

• 20 MB hard drive space free for the standard installation (Run program from the CD.)
  ................or 180 MB free if you install the full program on your hard drive.

• 4X speed CD-ROM with CD-DA outputs

• 640 x 480 graphics with 256 colors (super VGA).

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. The course software is contained on the CD listed above.

Instructor Information

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

Assessment and Grading

Testing is completed within the Keyboarding Pro software with timed results that must be emailed to the instructor. 

A minimum average of 77 is required to receive credit for this course.

Students will be graded on:

- Progress - Meeting the time schedule set forth in the calendar.
- Participation - Posting messages and responses.
- Timed Tests - Based on the Corrected Words Per Minute (CWPM) scale below.

The course grade scale is as follows:

93-100	--	A
85-92.9	--	B
77-84.9	--	C

Timed typing tests will be graded as follows:

# CWPM	Score	# CWPM	Score	# CWPM	Score	# CWPM	Score	# CWPM	Score	# CWPM	Score
48 & up	100	44	96	40	92	36	88	32	84	28	80
47	99	43	95	39	91	35	87	31	83	27	79
46	98	42	94	38	90	34	86	30	82	26	78
45	97	41	93	37	89	33	85	29	81	25	77

Assignments and Participation

Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements. Students must also participate in threaded discussion events with the instructor and other students. The instructor will post topics for students comments.

Students are permitted to work ahead in this course but, there are specific unit completion dates posted on the calendar and noted in units modules.

Course Ground Rules

Participation in this course is the key to doing well. Be sure assignments and timed tests are turned in by the due date as posted on the Course Calendar.

Students should check the discussion boards often to see if there are new discussions or announcements. If you have questions about a topic the discussion board is a great place to ask it. Remember that the only bad question is the one not asked. So, if you are unsure of something, ask about it.

Students are expected to respect the rights of other at all times when communicating with the instructor and other students. You are expected to follow proper netiquette at all times.

If you have a technical issue address it at once to avoid falling behind in the class.

Guidelines for Communications

• Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor 

• Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor. To locate a Technology Center near you please go to State-Wide Map.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support