keyboard mastery - mypierce

BTECH 115 A & B, Syllabus Fall 2013 of 11

PIERCE COLLEGE Fort Steilacoom Business Keyboarding Instructor: Amy V. Warren E-mail: [email protected] Office: O-112 Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Friday: by appointment only

Class Meetings: Monday & Wednesday 11:25 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

Class Location: O-105

Catalog Description: Students use a computer keyboarding program to learn to keyboard by touch:

A- Key the Alphabet by Touch (1 credit) B- Key Numbers and Symbols by Touch (1 Credit)

BTECH 115 A-B

Two 1-Credit Modules

Keyboard

Mastery

Prerequisite for BTECH 115 B: BTECH 115A with grade of at least 2.0, or touch typing at 15 wpm or instructor’s permission

Student Outcomes:

BTECH 115 A – Key the Alphabet by Touch (1 credit)

1. Key alphabet keys by touch at a minimum rate of 15 wpm for 3 minutes with no more than 5 errors.

2. Use correct keyboarding technique.

BTECH 115 B – Key the Numbers & Symbols by Touch (1 credit)

1. Key numbers and symbols in context at a minimum rate of 15 wpm with no more than 5 errors.

2. Use correct keyboarding technique.

Textbook for BTECH 115 A & B: Keyboarding Mastery, Ellsworth, Ellsworth Publishing Co., 2010.

(No ISBN # -- look for “Keyboarding Mastery textbook/Access Code”)

Requirement: Access to the Internet at school or at home

Please read the rest of the syllabus at least twice. Be sure to talk to us if you have questions.


OVERALL GRADING PROCEDURES FOR EACH ONE-CREDIT MODULE

Practice Drills 50 percent

Meet the error minimum for each drill at least one time. You do not need three timings completed

for each line, nor do you need to meet any speed requirement.

Technique Observation by Instructor 30 percent

Your instructor will ask you to begin keying a paragraph from your textbook. We are mainly

looking for your eyes on the book all the time and your fingers returning to the home row after

each keystroke. Neither speed nor accuracy count at all on this technique observation.

Speed/Accuracy Achievement (2 & 3 min. timings) 20 percent

115A -- This grade will be based on the best speed from the 2-minute timings – Line 17 – in

Lessons 12-17 listed on page 6 of this syllabus. (See chart – top of page 3)

115B -- This grade will be based on the best speed from the 3-minute timings – Line 17 – in

Lessons 21-24 listed on page 7 of this syllabus. (See chart – top of page 3)

Practice Drills – 50%:

BTECH 115 A & B – See individual sections of the syllabus

All required lessons completed = A (4.0)

One lesson missing = B (3.0)

Two lessons missing = C (2.0)

Three lessons or more missing = D (1.0)

Technique Observation – 30%:

Request that the instructor observe your keyboarding technique at least twice during each module—

When you first begin work on the class, the instructor should make an ungraded observation to

suggest areas for improvement.

When you are finished with each module, the instructor will

assign a Technique grade based on the following items:

(1) Eyes on information you are keying, whether from text or

screen (not on the keyboard)

(2) Correct keystrokes (use correct fingering for all keys)

(3) Fingers return to home row (a,s,d,f…j,k,l,;) after every

keystroke—crucial for accurate typing

(4) Wrists and forearms parallel to the keyboard while typing

(even if a wrist rest is in place)

(5) Feet flat on the floor (one or both feet can be on the chair

rungs)

(6) Chair and keyboard height properly positioned

Keyboarding Technique Will Be Graded on a 4.0 Scale:

All techniques performed correctly .................................................................... 4.0

1-2 techniques need improvement ...................................................................... 3.0

3 techniques need improvement ......................................................................... 2.0

From http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~gammakeys/


4 techniques need improvement ......................................................................... 1.0

5-6 techniques need improvement ...................................................................... 0.0

Speed/Accuracy – Average Timing Speed of 2- or 3-Minute Timings – 20%:

Timing errors allowed

2 min. = 4 or less errors

3 min. = 5 or less errors

Average Speed Required for These Speed/Accuracy Grades

Course Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D

BTECH 115A 2 Min. – Lessons 12-17 25 20 15 10

BTECH 115B 3 Min. – Lessons 21-24 27 22 17 12

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

Mandatory Completion by End of the Quarter – December 4, 2013.

All one-credit modules must be completed by the end of this quarter.

We recommend that you withdraw from any one-credit courses that you cannot finish by the last day of the

quarter. The last date to withdraw from a course this quarter is November 12, 2013.

Appointment with Instructor for Keyboard Technique Checks:

On the first day you begin working on the course, ask your instructor for your first technique check. This will

show you how the instructor will assign a Technique grade at the end of the quarter and give you tips on how to

improve your keyboarding skill. Follow the same procedure for your graded technique check near the

completion of each module. You will need an additional graded technique check for each one-credit

Keyboarding module.

Policy on Academic Honesty:

Seeking unauthorized assistance with your assignments, such as disk sharing or copying someone else’s work in

any way is not acceptable. Students who participate in academic dishonesty on assignments or tests will receive

penalties that may range from a “0” grade for the assignment or test to a non-passing grade for the course.

Disability Support Services:

Students with disabilities who believe they may need academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services to fully

participate in course activities or meet course requirements are encouraged to register with the Access and

Disability Services (ADS) Office. Students requesting accommodations must obtain the "Approved Quarterly

Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids or Services Green Form" provided by ADS.

For more information contact the ADS Office – Fort Steilacoom/JBLM, Cascade Building, Welcome Center,

253-964-6526/6527.

Release of Academic Information:

Any student whose education is being sponsored by an agency that may require reports concerning class

progress is asked to sign a Release of Information form by the tenth day of class. Please see an instructor as soon

as possible.


BUSINESS KEYBOARDING – BTECH 115 A & B ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

BTECH 115 A Key the Alphabet by Touch

BEGIN WORKING ON THE KEYBOARDING MASTERY LESSONS:

1—Purchase a NEW textbook:

Keyboarding Mastery by Barbara Ellsworth

Textbooks are shrink-wrapped and have a code printed in the back. Only one person can use the

code to get into the Internet class, so there is no textbook buy back. (If you have obtained a

textbook from a friend or other source, you will need to purchase a serial code from the Pierce

College bookstore or from the publisher.)

2—If you want to practice at home, you will probably need to have Java plug-in loaded on your home computer. See further explanation at the end of this syllabus.

3—Enter the Student Login and Password

a. At the Keyboarding Online website (www.KeyboardingOnline.com) click Login

b. Key this in the Login and Password boxes: steilacoom (enter lower case)

c. Click Sign In

d. Click on the Book Based link for your course.

e. Click “Open Student Data File”

f. Select your class

g. Select your name

h. Click “Open” at the bottom

i. Your Individual Password is: Your nine digit SID/Student Identification Number-no spaces

or punctuation (which you can change later to a password of your choosing)

j. When you click on Lesson, a box appears asking for your serial code—this is asked for only

once and the serial code is in the back of your textbook. After entering the serial code, you

are now logged in to the course software.

4--Information About Your Course

User Info

The first line of your menu on the left is “User Info”. Double click on it and enter your e-mail

address and phone number. These will appear on the class report for the instructor. You can

change your individual password from the “SID” to a personal password if you wish. You will

need to make note of this password for future used.

Setup

You can check the course standards set by your teacher by double clicking on “Setup” in the

menu, and clicking on the various tabs.

http://www.keyboardingonline.com/


Introduction

Go through the Introduction.

Lessons Menu

Double click to open the Lessons Menu. The small squares next to the lessons are the assigned

lessons. As you complete a lesson with no more than the maximum number of errors, a check

mark will appear in the boxes. Click on Lesson 1, open your textbook to lesson 1, and begin.

Progress Reports

Double click on Progress Report to see all recorded scores. Single click on Simple Report.

Grade Report

Double click on Grade Report to see your final speed grade. Single click on Final Grade Report.

This only counts as 30% of your grade. The grade on this report may NOT match the final grade

submitted by your instructor as completing all the lessons counts as 40% and the Technique

Observation by your instructor will count 30%. See overall grading procedures above for details.

IMPORTANT: If you want to raise your grade, go back to your Progress Report and practice

to raise any lower scores—higher scores on the Progress Report can raise your final grade.

5--Last Instructions

Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Always do your work online so your instructor can see

it. You do NOT have to turn anything in—we can see your scores and grades online in the

Teacher Manager.

Study the suggested keyboarding techniques on page 2 in this syllabus.

Also see the “Tips for Keyboarding Improvement” near the end of this syllabus. -- At least look

at the pictures.

All work must be completed by the end of the

scheduled class session on

December 4, 2013.


BTECH 115A

Key the Alphabet by Touch

BTECH 115A provides an introduction and practice with the alphabetic keys.

Make this practice time worthwhile – focus on improving your technique rather than just getting through the course as quickly as you can.

Below is a schedule of all required lessons in the course. See the grading scale for the Technique Check on page 2 of this syllabus, then ask your instructor for a graded technique observation.

() Lesson # Keys Page # Information

1 Home Row &

Spacebar

B-2 & B-3

Timings 15-Second (3-error limit) 30-Second (3-error limit) 1-Minute (5-error limit)

Complete the appropriate timings on each of the 15 lines (Ln). You only need to meet the error minimum one time for each line. Speed is not important – focus on improving technique.

Always try to type from the textbook rather than the screen.

See your Progress Report by closing your Lessons menu (where you key your timings) and click on “Progress Report.” Only the timings that meet the error limit will be recorded.

2 T, E, H B4-5 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

3 O, R, N B6-7 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

4 M, C, Left Shift B8-9 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

5 L, Period, Right Shift B11-12 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

6 Comma, U, and

Caps Lock B13-14 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

7 B, P, W B15-16 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

8 G, Colon, Q B17-18 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

9 V, /, ? B19-20 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

10 X, Y, Z B21-22 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 minute

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Section 17 only C-4 to C-14

Complete the 2-minute timings only – Section 17 in each lesson.

See the Speed/Accuracy chart at the top of page 3 in the syllabus. Try each 2-minute timing from Lessons 12-17 at least twice.


BTECH 115B provides an introduction and practice with the number and symbol keys as well as additional practice with the alphabet keys.

Make this practice time worthwhile – focus on improving your technique rather than just getting through the course a quickly as you can.

Below is a schedule of all required lessons in the course. See the grading scale for the Technique Check on page 2 of this syllabus, then ask your instructor for a graded technique observation.

() Lesson # Keys Page # Information

11 Hyphen/ Dash,

Apostrophe, Quotation Mark

B-23 & 24 Timings

15-Second (3-error limit) 30-Second (3-error limit) 1-Minute (5-error limit)

Complete the appropriate timings on each line. You only need to meet the error minimum one time for each line. Speed is not important – focus on improving technique.

Even though you may see the words at the top of the screen, always type from the textbook.

Complete each section as instructed in the textbook.

25 1, 2, 3 D-2 & 3 15 sec., 30 sec., 1-min. only – Line (Ln) 1-16



28 0, !, @ D-14, 15 & 16

Timings 2-Minute (4-error limit)

15 sec., 30 sec., 1- & 2-min. only – Line (Ln) 1-17

29 #, $, % D-18, 19, & 20 15 sec., 30 sec., 1- & 2-min. only – Line (Ln) 1-17

30 ^, &, #

D-22, 23, 24 & 25 Timings

3-Minute (5-error limit) 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 2 min., 3 min. timings –

Line (Ln) 1-18

31 ( ), _ D-26, 27, 28 & 29 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 2 min., 3 min. timings –

Line (Ln) 1-18

32 =, +, [ ] D-30, 31, 32 & 33 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 2 min., 3 min. timings –

Line (Ln) 1-18

33 { }, <, > D-34, 35, 36 & 37 15 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 2 min., 3 min. timings –

Line (Ln) 1-18

21, 22, 23

& 24 Section 18 only C-23 to C-32

Complete the 3-minute timing only – Line (Ln) 18 in each lesson. See the Speed/Accuracy grading chart at the bottom of page 2 in the syllabus. Try each 3-minute timing from Lessons 21-24 at least twice.

BTECH 115 B Key the Numbers and Symbols by Touch


TIPS...

FOR IMPROVING YOUR KEYBOARDING SPEED, ACCURACY, AND TECHNIQUE

If you often look at your keys while typing, try one or both of these activities frequently until you have broken that habit. (I know; it’s not easy to break this one.)

Try starting your practice line over every time you catch yourself looking at your keys. (The speed/errors on your lessons’ practice lines do not affect your grade.)

Tape a piece of paper to the top edge of the keyboard so that it rests on the backs of your hands as you type.

If you constantly look at the screen, and then back to your book, and then back to the screen . . .

Break that habit and improve your concentration by turning off the monitor. (Again, speed/errors on your lessons’ practice lines do not affect your grade.)

If you make too many errors . . .

Focus your eyes and your concentration on the text.

Type at an even pace, a speed that feels slow to you. (You very likely will see fewer errors and perhaps a higher speed than you expected.)

If you want to increase your speed . . .

Choose easy material and type as fast as you can for short periods -- 12, 30, or 60 seconds. Make lots of errors! Do three or four timings like this, trying to go faster each time.

Then, slow down and try one or two timings at your “normal” speed. This may not work the first time, but if you try this several times per week, you should see an increase in your “normal keyboarding speed.

You will definitely see better results if you work on this class during frequent short periods (no more than an hour) rather than longer time periods only once or twice per week.

Please talk to your instructor if you’re not seeing the results you want and/or you’re experiencing pain or discomfort of any kind.


WORKING AT HOME:

If you want to work on this course at home, be sure you have Java plug-in loaded on your home

computer.

Internet courses use Java applets and need the Java plug-in. The way to know if you are having a Java

problem: When you click to download your course, nothing happens—it doesn’t download.

To verify that you have the Java plug-in installed correctly: (The Internet is always changing the

way sites look but this is the procedure.)

1. Enter www.java.com in the address bar of your Internet browser. Press the Enter key.

2. Click on the “Do I have Java?” button.

3. Follow the prompts. Any version of Java will almost always work. You don’t have to download

the latest version—it is up to you. The main thing is to have a version of the Java plug-in on

your computer. If you don’t have it, click the Download Java Now button, and follow the

prompts.

4. Close and re-open your web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer) after installing the Java Plug-in.

Go to www.KeyboardingOnline.com, Login, click on the link to your course. After getting to

the page that says “Please wait … Program is downloading”, wait a few moments and you will

see the Java coffee cup icon appear (first example below) and on your system tray (the system

tray is the lower right area of the screen that has the clock).

http://www.java.com/

http://www.keyboardingonline.com/


And in your system tray: (only one Java icon needs to show)

5. A very good browser is Mozilla. If you have browser trouble, try downloading and installing

the Mozilla or FireFox web browser from www.Mozilla.org.

Mozilla and FireFox are FREE. There are never any special settings to look at, and it is usually

a sure bet. It does have automatic pop up-ad blocking and is a very secure web browser. It

does not have all of the security vulnerabilities often found in some popular web browsers. We

use it at Ellsworth Publishing Co. for most of our web browsing needs.

http://www.mozilla.org/

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