computer keyboard assignment

April 11, 2023

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Remapping 101: How to change your keyboard key output

Your PC or laptop keyboard doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. If you’re not a fan of certain key placements or find that you aren’t using some of your keys, you can rearrange the functions of your keys however you like. Most keyboards are laid out in the same way, but Windows 11 features  allow you to make the necessary adjustments to help you type more comfortably. Learn how you can remap your keys and change keyboard outputs on Windows 11 .

Why remap your keyboard?

If you’re used to a standard keyboard layout, you may not initially see the value in remapping your keys. Here are some common reasons for changing keyboard outputs:

• Typing on a foreign keyboard. If you want to type in any language besides English, it can be difficult to type seamlessly on an English-only keyboard. By switching your key functions, you can cater to different language settings.
• Using your keyboard for PC gaming. PC gamers rely on their keyboards to play their favorite games. Remapping your keys to best suit your gaming needs can improve performance and make your frequently used keys more accessible.
• Repurposing underused keys. Not everyone uses their keys the same way. If it seems like a key that you don’t often use is taking up valuable space on your keyboard, you can reassign its function to find a good use for it and increase productivity.

Popular QWERTY alternatives

You may notice that top row of letters on your keyboard, going left to right, spells QWERTY. However, there are other popular keyboard layouts that can help you type faster or more comfortably. Learn more about each layout and how they might benefit your typing:

• AZERTY. The AZERTY layout simply moves the output of the Q , W , and M keys. It is most often used in France and other surrounding countries.
• Dvorak. The Dvorak layout puts the most used keys in the middle row, which decreases finger movement. This typing method can help reduce strain in your fingers, which makes for a more ergonomic experience.
• Colemak. The Colemak layout offers a slight improvement on the Dvorak layout. It also places the commonly used keys in the middle row, but it keeps the useable features of the QWERTY layout intact.

How to remap your keys on Windows 11

The easiest way to change your keyboard functions on Windows 11 is to use the Keyboard Manager  utility. The Keyboard Manager is one of many utilities available in Microsoft PowerToys , which are a collection of productivity tools that allow users to customize their Windows experience.

How does Keyboard Manager work?

Once you’ve downloaded PowerToys onto your device, select Keyboard Manager and toggle Enable Keyboard Manager. You’ll find separate sections for remapping keys and remapping shortcuts, each of which can be adjusted to your liking. Some keys and shortcuts cannot be remapped in Keyboard Manager, and these limitations are highlighted on the platform. PowerToys must be running for the key mapping to work, so make sure you don’t close out of the program after making your selections.

What other keyboard mapping functions are available on Windows?

If you are still running Windows 10 on your PC, you can download Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator  to create your own keyboard layouts. Microsoft keyboard users can also try the Mouse and Keyboard Center  app to get the most out of the customization features within the accessories. Other keyboard mapping options can be downloaded on Microsoft Apps .

By learning how to remap your keys, you can break the mold and take control of how you use your keyboard. Shop for Microsoft Keyboards  to find the perfect keyboard to test your remapped keys on Windows 11 .

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How to remap any key on your keyboard in Windows 11 or 10

Turn a key you don't use such as "insert" into one you really need.

Even if you have one of the best gaming keyboards or best mechanical keyboards on the market, you may not have all the keys you want or need. For example, my 96 percent keyboard has a number pad, arrow keys and a function row, but no print screen key. 

I do have an insert key, but let's be honest — the last time I needed the insert key was in the 1990s. Fortunately, it's easy to remap any key to become any other key so I can turn insert into print screen or turn my numpad into a series of media buttons.

On some fancier keyboards, you can remap keys at the firmware level; these boards usually have either QMK or Via firmware. And, once you remap it there, the new key assignment will apply across computers and operating systems.

However, most keyboards don't have customizable firmware so the easiest way to remap a key is to do so by tweaking a setting in the OS. In Windows, it's really easy to remap a key by modifying the registry. And you don't even need to go into the registry, because there's a utility called SharpKeys that will write your remaps to the registry for you.

How to Remap a Key Using SharpKeys

1. Install SharpKeys from the Microsoft Store.

2. Launch SharpKeys.

3. Click the Add button.

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4. Select the key to remap by either picking it in the left-side menu or clicking Type Key and typing it.

5. Select the key to remap to from the right-side menu and Click Ok .

6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for additional key remaps if you need them.

7. Click Write to Registry .

You'll get a confirmation message. 

8. Close SharpKeys then reboot your PC or log out then in again.

The new key mappings should work in Windows from now on and you won't need to run SharpKeys again unless you want to do more remaps.

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Typing Activities For Middle School: Tools, Printables, And Online Games

March 21, 2024 //  by  Josilyn Markel

Full-blown touch typing is a necessary skill in this day and age, and many middle schools teach aspects of typing to students as young as sixth grade. By helping students build confidence through typing tests and quality typing programs, students can acquire and apply this important skill throughout their middle school years and beyond.

Here are twenty great resources to help your middle schoolers thrive while they learn this extremely important skill for students.

Tools for Teaching Students How to Type

1. introductory typing test.

This typing test is a great place to start since it gives you a sense of your student’s skill level and basic typing skills before they even start any typing exercises. You can use it as a pre-test and post-test at the beginning and end of the semester to track your students’ typing progress.

Learn More: Calculator Cat

2. Online Typing Training Course

This program includes all of the lessons and activities to help students acquire the skills of touch typing and typing fluency. There are several modules that start from the very basics and continue until mastery of this important skill for students.

Learn More: Typing Test

3. Typing Paragraphs for Speed

This online activity is designed to help students speed up their practice of typing. The goal is to type all the sentences and/or paragraphs as quickly as possible; guidance for accuracy is also provided.

Learn More: Education

4. Typing Paragraphs for Accuracy

Accuracy is the main focus of these online typing lessons. The main goal is to offer keyboard typing practice that emphasizes the importance of hitting the right keys every time. The focus is removed from speed and centered on accuracy.

5. Online Touch Typing Courses

With this resource, kids can get individualized online typing tutorials for their touch typing skills. The program and tutors recognize that touch typing is an extremely important skill for students, so they are committed to helping kids learn to type with top speeds and accuracy.

Learn More: Touch Type It

This online school typing tutor takes students from the very beginning levels of typing all the way through advanced typing tests. The approach features interactive typing exercises and immediate feedback to help your students learn quickly and effectively.

Learn More: Keybr

7. Inspiration and Educational Explanation

This article is a great jumping-off point that explores the importance and related developmental skills associated with teaching kids how to touch type. It’s a complete learning typing file that also offers some helpful resources.

Learn More: The Purposeful Nest

8. Theoretical Background

This article explores the importance of teaching children how to type. You’ll learn how and why it extends far beyond the basic keyboarding skill, and how these skills can positively impact other areas of your students’ lives!

Learn More: Education World

Printable Typing Activities

9. top row coloring sheet.

This printable features a friendly alien who helps students remember all of the letters along the top row of a keyboard.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

10. Keyboarding Practice Worksheet

This is a handy paper where students can take notes and practice resting their fingers in the proper position on the keyboard. It’s also great for practicing outside the typing center or computer lab.

11. Keyboard Shortcuts Poster

This poster is a great way to teach and reinforce the shortcuts that make touch typing even easier. It’s also a useful resource for students to refer to while they’re in the middle of typing class, or while they’re completing assignments with word processing software.

12. Parts of a Keyboard Display

This resource can help you teach and remind students about the different parts of the computer keyboard. It’s a useful tool for introducing and reinforcing the vocabulary related to keyboarding and touch typing.

13. Handy Tips for Better Speed and Accuracy

This handout covers the top tips to help students improve their speed and accuracy while typing. The suggestions also apply to advanced-level typists, so you might be able to benefit from the advice, too!

Learn More: Course Lounge

Online Typing Games and Activities for Students

14. alphabetic rain.

This is one of the most familiar typing games, where you have to type the correct letter before it crashes to the ground. This is a great way to drill and solidify patterns needed for strong keyboard skills, plus it’s a fun way for students to practice typing exercises.

Learn More: Power Typing

15. Mavis Typing Tomb Adventure

This game for students is really exciting. It combines an engaging adventure with activities to drill typing abilities. Students can have fun while they improve their touch typing skills!

Learn More: Typing Games

16. Save the Sailboats

This game features different difficulty levels that allow the teacher and/or the students to customize how fast the game goes. It’s perfect for primary students because it is easy to play and the context is very familiar.

Learn More: Free Typing Game

17. Games from KidzType

Most of the games on this site correspond directly to a specific row or lesson, so learners can progress through the different games and levels as their skills continue to improve. There are fun games for all interests and levels.

Learn More: Kidz Type

18. Typing with Race Cars

This game features a high-speed race that is meant to help students improve both speed and accuracy as they type. It’s also a great way to encourage a bit of friendly competition in the typing classroom.

19. QWERTY Town

This series of integrated tutorials and games take students from beginner level to advanced level while also promoting fun! It’s a comprehensive approach that incorporates gamification to keep students engaged throughout each lesson.

Learn More: Bits and Bytes

20. Outer Space Fleet Commander

This game is a callback to classic arcade games like “Space Invaders.” Students have to quickly type the correct letters and words so that they can protect the planet. It’s an exciting time!

Using your keyboard

Whether you're writing a letter or calculating numerical data, your keyboard is the main way to enter information into your computer. But did you know you can also use your keyboard to control your computer? Learning a few simple keyboard commands(instructions to your computer) can help you work more efficiently.

How the keys are organized

The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:

Typing (alphanumeric) keys . These keys include the same letter, number, punctuation, and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.

Function keys . The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs from program to program.

Navigation keys . These keys are used for moving around in documents or webpages and editing text. They include the arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and Insert.

Numeric keypad . The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding machine.

The following illustration shows how these keys are arranged on a typical keyboard. Your keyboard layout might be different.

Typing text

In addition to letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and symbols, the typing keys also include Shift, Caps Lock, Tab, Enter, the Spacebar, and Backspace.

Using keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcutsare ways to perform actions by using your keyboard. They're called shortcuts because they help you work faster. In fact, almost any action or command you can perform with a mouse can be performed faster using one or more keys on your keyboard.

In Help topics, a plus sign (+) between two or more keys indicates that those keys should be pressed in combination. For example, Ctrl + A means to press and hold Ctrl and then press A. Ctrl + Shift + A means to press and hold Ctrl and Shift and then press A.

Find program shortcuts

You can do things in most programs by using the keyboard. To see which commands have keyboard shortcuts, open a menu. The shortcuts (if available) are shown next to the menu items.

Keyboard shortcuts appear next to menu items.

Choose menus, commands, and options.

You can open menus and choose commands and other options using your keyboard. In a program that has menus with underlined letters, press Alt and an underlined letter to open the corresponding menu. Press the underlined letter in a menu item to choose that command. For programs that use the ribbon, such as Paint and WordPad, pressing Alt overlays (rather than underlines) a letter that can be pressed.

Press Alt + F to open the File menu, then press P to choose the Print command.

This trick works in dialog boxes too. Whenever you see an underlined letter attached to an option in a dialog box, it means you can press Alt plus that letter to choose that option.

Useful shortcuts

The following table lists some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. For a more detailed list, see Keyboard shortcuts.

Using navigation keys

The navigation keys allow you to move the cursor, move around in documents and webpages, and edit text. The following table lists some common functions of these keys.

Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad arranges the numerals 0 though 9, the arithmetic operators + (addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication), and / (division), and the decimal point as they would appear on a calculator or adding machine. These characters are duplicated elsewhere on the keyboard, of course, but the keypad arrangement allows you to rapidly enter numerical data or mathematical operations with one hand.

Numeric Keyboard

To use the numeric keypad to enter numbers, press Num Lock. Most keyboards have a light that indicates whether Num Lock is on or off. When Num Lock is off, the numeric keypad functions as a second set of navigation keys (these functions are printed on the keys next to the numerals or symbols).

You can use your numeric keypad to perform simple calculations with Calculator.

Operate Calculator with the numeric keypad

Open Calculator by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Calculator , and then, in the list of results, click Calculator .

Check your keyboard light to see if Num Lock is on. If it isn't, press Num Lock .

Using the numeric keypad, type the first number in the calculation.

On the keypad, type + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, or / to divide.

Type the next number in the calculation.

Press Enter to complete the calculation.

Three odd keys

So far, we've discussed almost every key you're likely to use. But for the truly inquisitive, let's explore the three most mysterious keys on the keyboard: PrtScn, Scroll Lock, and Pause/Break.

PrtScn (or Print Screen)

A long time ago, this key actually did what it says—it sent the current screen of text to your printer. Nowadays, pressing PrtScn captures an image of your entire screen (a "screen shot") and copies it to the Clipboard in your computer's memory. From there you can paste it (Ctrl + V) into Microsoft Paint or another program and, if you want, print it from that program.

More obscure is SYS RQ, which shares the key with PrtScn on some keyboards. Historically, SYS RQ was designed to be a "system request," but this command is not enabled in Windows.

Tip:  Press Alt + PrtScn to capture an image of just the active window, instead of the entire screen.

ScrLk (or Scroll Lock)

In most programs, pressing Scroll Lock has no effect. In a few programs, pressing Scroll Lock changes the behavior of the arrow keys and the Page Up and Page Down keys; pressing these keys causes the document to scroll without changing the position of the cursor or selection. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether Scroll Lock is on.

Pause/Break

This key is rarely used. In some older programs, pressing this key pauses the program or, in combination with Ctrl, stops it from running.

Some modern keyboards come with "hot keys" or buttons that give you quick, one-press access to programs, files, or commands. Other models have volume controls, scroll wheels, zoom wheels, and other gadgets. For details about these features, check the information that came with your keyboard or computer, or go to the manufacturer's website.

Tips for using your keyboard safely

Using your keyboard properly can help avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods. Here are a few tips to help improve keyboard use:

Place your keyboard at elbow level. Your upper arms should be relaxed at your sides.

Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can use the spacebar as the centering point.

Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.

Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing. If your keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.

While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.

When you're not typing, relax your arms and hands.

Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20 minutes.

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How Computer Keyboards Work

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Keyboard Basics

A keyboard's primary function is to act as an input device. Using a keyboard, a person can type a document, use keystroke shortcuts, access menus, play games and perform a variety of other tasks. Keyboards can have different keys depending on the manufacturer, the operating system they're designed for, and whether they are attached to a desktop computer or part of a laptop . But for the most part, these keys, also called keycaps , are the same size and shape from keyboard to keyboard. They're also placed at a similar distance from one another in a similar pattern, no matter what language or alphabet the keys represent.

Most keyboards have between 80 and 110 keys, including:

• Typing keys
• A numeric keypad
• Function keys
• Control keys

The typing keys include the letters of the alphabet, generally laid out in the same pattern used for typewriters . According to legend, this layout, known as QWERTY for its first six letters, helped keep mechanical typewriters' metal arms from colliding and jamming as people typed. Some people question this story -- whether it's true or not, the QWERTY pattern had long been a standard by the time computer keyboards came around. 

Keyboards can also use a variety of other typing key arrangements. The most widely known is Dvorak , named for its creator, August Dvorak. The Dvorak layout places all of the vowels on the left side of the keyboard and the most common consonants on the right. The most commonly used letters are all found along the home row . The home row is the main row where you place your fingers when you begin typing. People who prefer the Dvorak layout say it increases their typing speed and reduces fatigue. Other layouts include ABCDE , XPeRT , QWERTZ and AZERTY . Each is named for the first keys in the pattern. The QWERTZ and AZERTY arrangements are commonly used in Europe.

The numeric keypad is a more recent addition to the computer keyboard. As the use of computers in business environments increased, so did the need for speedy data entry. Since a large part of the data was numbers, a set of 17 keys, arranged in the same configuration found on adding machines and calculators, was added to the keyboard.

In 1986, IBM further extended the basic keyboard with the addition of function and control keys. Applications and operating systems can assign specific commands to the function keys. Control keys provide cursor and screen control. Four arrow keys arranged in an inverted T formation between the typing keys and numeric keypad move the cursor on the screen in small increments.

Other common control keys include:

• Control (Ctrl)
• Alternate (Alt)
• Escape (Esc)

The Windows keyboard adds some extra control keys: two Windows or Start keys, and an Application key. Apple keyboards, on the other hand, have Command (also known as "Apple") keys. A keyboard developed for Linux users features Linux-specific hot keys , including one marked with "Tux" the penguin -- the Linux logo/mascot.

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

What is Computer Keyboard?

Keyboard is the primary text input device on all computers which contain standard function keys such as escape tag and cursor movement keys. It is like a traditional typewriter which use same key arrangement as the mechanical and electronic keyboards. The arrangement of alphabetic keys is Qwerty keyboard. Another key arrangement Dvorak which was designed to use easily.

Function of keyboard

There is no one standard keyboard, all are manufacturers create their own. Most keyboard have same function. Essential component to keyboard are the letter keys which allow operator to write on the computer. Keyboard can be found nearly in many languages to match with the computer settings. Like alphabets, numbers, basic navigation function like arrow key and the “enter” key are also included on keyboard.

Purpose of Keyboard

The main purpose it serve is to input data into a computer so application can function as the user desires. It can also be used for gaming and give command for computer operating system. A standard keyboard has 105 keys.

Parts of a keyboard

• Typing Area: Typing area you see when you do word processing. It is like a traditional typewriter where you press alphabetic character such as letters, special characters and numbers.
• Functioning keys: All the functioning keys are located at the top of the keyboard and grouped into four. Key starting from F1 to F12. Use for special purpose and specific task. For example. If you writing something in Microsoft word and you stuck somewhere and need help then press F1 and F5 key will display find and replace dialog box. F12 will save dialogue box. These keys support different in different application like F2 key will display AutoCAD text window. Similarly you can check all the key what function exactly they provide. Functions key will be beneficial for you if you know how to use them.
• Numeric keypad: Numeric keypad is located at the right side of the keyboard which is arranged like a standard calculator used to enter the numeric data. Num lock key tell whether the keys are on numeric or directional mode. If it is on means if green light is shown on the num lock key means can enter the numbers. But if it off then directional keys are activated which moves the cursor up, down, left or right.
• Cursor and monitor controls: These keys are located between typing keypad and the numeric keypad. Having two groups that are arranged top and bottom. Top keys holds Insert, home, Page Up and Page Down, Delete and End keys.

Insert key switches between insert and overtype mode. Home key brings the cursor to the beginning of the page. Page Up and Page Down helps you to move on pages without using mouse. Delete has erase the document or page or text that you has been select. End key takes you end of the page.

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Online typing lessons

Click on a typing lesson on the list below. The exercise will begin as soon as you press the first key.

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Some of these exercises are not fully supported by your keyboard layout and may behave differently from what is expected by the exercise description.

First steps lessons ?

First and very easy typing lessons for learning all key positions. Suitable for beginners.

• Base position dynamic generic 7 signs
• Home row dynamic generic 9 signs
• Home row and top row dynamic generic 19 signs
• Home row and bottom row dynamic generic 16 signs
• All letters dynamic generic 26 signs
• All rows dynamic generic 36 signs

Warm-up exercises ?

Easy typing lessons for learning all key positions. Suitable for beginners.

• Top row dynamic generic 10 signs
• Bottom row dynamic generic 7 signs
• Number row dynamic generic 10 signs
• Home row and number row dynamic generic 19 signs

Learn exercises ?

First easy exercises to learn touch typing step by step.

• Base position [h4:h7] dynamic generic 2 signs
• Base position [h4:h7:h3:h8] dynamic generic 4 signs
• Base position [h4:h7:h3:h8:h2:h9] dynamic generic 6 signs
• Base position complete dynamic generic 8 signs
• Base position + [h5:h6] dynamic generic 10 signs
• Home row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7] dynamic generic 13 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4] dynamic generic 15 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4:t5:t7] dynamic generic 17 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4:t5:t7:b4:b8] dynamic generic 19 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4:t5:t7:b4:b8:t9:b6] dynamic generic 21 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4:t5:t7:b4:b8:t9:b6:t1:t2:t10:b5] dynamic generic 25 signs
• Home row + [t3:b7:t8:t4:t5:t7:b4:b8:t9:b6:t1:t2:t10:b5:b3:b2:t6] dynamic generic 28 signs

Word exercises ?

Typing lessons with words that reveal more and more letters. Perfect to practice typing step by step.

• Home row dynamic 12 signs
• Home row + EN dynamic 12 signs
• Home row + ENIR dynamic 14 signs
• Home row + ENIRTU dynamic 18 signs
• Home row + ENIRTUCM dynamic 18 signs
• Home row + ENIRTUCMOB dynamic 20 signs
• Home row + ENIRTUCMOBWYP dynamic 29 signs
• Home row + ENIRTUCMOBWYPQVXZ dynamic 27 signs

Finger practice ?

Exercises with randomly placed letters. For users who wants to improve their finger skills.

• Home row and right top row dynamic generic 16 signs
• Home row and left top row dynamic generic 16 signs
• Home and top row dynamic generic 21 signs
• Home row and right bottom row dynamic generic 16 signs
• Home row and left bottom row dynamic generic 17 signs
• Home and bottom row dynamic generic 22 signs
• Home and right number row dynamic generic 17 signs
• Home and left number row dynamic generic 17 signs
• Home and number row dynamic generic 23 signs
• All letters dynamic generic 32 signs
• All rows dynamic generic 44 signs

Hand practice ?

Easy typing lessons for each hand separately. Suitable for users who wants to train one hand.

• Left hand - home row dynamic generic 5 signs
• Left hand - home and top row dynamic generic 10 signs
• Left hand - home and bottom row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Left hand - home and number row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Left hand - all letters dynamic generic 16 signs
• Left hand - all rows dynamic generic 22 signs
• Right hand - home row dynamic generic 6 signs
• Right hand - home and top row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Right hand - home and bottom row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Right hand - home and number row dynamic generic 11 signs
• Right hand - all letters dynamic generic 16 signs
• Right hand - all rows dynamic generic 21 signs

Practical exercises ?

Practice-oriented typing of the most common english words. Perfect to prepare for real life.

• Top 25 english words dynamic 18 signs
• Top 50 english words dynamic 23 signs
• Top 100 english words dynamic 24 signs
• Top 200 english words dynamic 26 signs
• Top 300 english words dynamic 29 signs
• Top 500 english words dynamic 34 signs
• Top 1000 english words dynamic 41 signs

Bonus lessons ?

More demanding exercises from all keyboard rows with special characters plus uppercase letters.

• Phonetic alphabet dynamic 49 signs
• Lorem ipsum dynamic 28 signs
• Capitals of Europe dynamic 36 signs
• Tongue twisters dynamic 29 signs
• Sayings dynamic 29 signs
• Written numbers dynamic 20 signs
• The complete alphabet dynamic 53 signs

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More than just simple typing practice

The typing lessons in our typing tutor are not just static texts. They are recombined in each exercise and adapt to your typing habits:

Dynamic typing lessons

All typing lessons marked as dynamic are reassembled each time you start a exercise in our typing tutor . This not only makes the exercises extremely varied, but also ensures that you don't memorize them by repetition.

Intelligent error analysis

Thanks to the intelligent error analysis in our typing tutor words and strings in which you often make mistakes will be repeated more frequently during your practice. This means that your personal weaknesses are trained directly and without any action on your part.

Fingers and related colors

Training objective

10 Words / min.

10% Error rate

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At TypingAcademy you can easily learn how to type with ten fingers. Our free online typing tutor helps you to practice touch typing in such a way that you can improve your finger technique noticeably in the long term and type faster and more comfortable. Thanks to the various typing lessons, you can learn how to type like in a course at school or in a coaching. And since our typing tutor runs as a web service directly online in the browser, you can use it on every platform.

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Free Keyboarding Lesson Plans and Activities

• Sunburst Digital Learning
• March 17, 2023
• Education & Resources

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Below are a variety of free keyboarding resources, including some lesson plans, fun activities for all ages and more. Some of these resources may be useful as is, but they can also be inspiration for you to create your own fun activity to help teach keyboarding to your students.

A Clue for Keyboarding

This activity helps students identify and locate the keys on the keyboard through memory. This involves using index cards as flashcards and reinforcing the memory of a keyboard when not looking at one directly.

https://teachers.net/lessons/posts/1656.html

Body Keyboard

After you have gone over the keyboard layout and position of each letter with the students, assign each student to a letter, and even one to be the cursor. Then tell the students what word you want to type and those students move to the front of the room to spell that word, including the cursor. You can say “use backspace” and the cursor moves and the letter returns to their position. There are many ways to utilize this “body keyboard” idea.

https://teachers.net/lessons/posts/2494.html

For grades 5-8, after some keyboarding experience has been developed, you may want to try this activity, as it also involves internet research, creative writing, spelling and grammar. Each student will create an imaginary pen pal that they will write letters to back and forth. Start out small, with basic details such as age and location, but when writing as the pen pal, they should be writing as if they know details about where they live, so internet research is likely required.

https://teachers.net/lessons/posts/4037.html

A Fun Alternative Way to Teach Young Children The Keyboard

For K-2 students, these are a couple fun keyboarding lessons to get them familiar with the placement of letters on the keyboard. It involves creating a large keyboard to lay on the floor and introducing each letter and the finger that presses it. Then have the students “type” words by hopping on the letters on the floor.

http://www.nailitnow.com.au/lessonplans/childrenprint.html

Utah Curriculum Resources from the Utah Education Network

This list of resources are geared more towards older students with enough typing experience to be typing in their own responses in Word. They provide PDF files of the necessary instructions, worksheets, etc. There are speed and accuracy drills, technique resources and much more.

https://www.uen.org/lessonplan/resource/core/1214

Keyboarding Stuff by Tonya Skinner

Tonya Skinner is a certified technology teacher and these lesson plans are geared towards “business education”, so they may be best for older students. But there are free assignments, activities, exams, and much more to browse through.

http://lessonplans.btskinner.com/keybrd.html

Do you have a fun or unique lesson plan or activity you use to teach your students keyboarding? Share it with us! Let us know on Facebook or LinkedIn, or send us an email and we’ll share it ourselves, we’d love to hear from you!

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Practice Questions for Computer Keyboard Shortcuts

Here we have discussed practice questions from the topic of keyboard shortcuts. We must be familiar with the keyboard as we are sitting in the reputed exam of IBPS PO Pre and Mains. It’s a very high-scoring topic and the focus must be on classes 4-7. Please go through the following sets of questions as it will pay huge in the forthcoming exams. If you have any queries please comment in the section and let us know the areas of improvement.

Direction: Read the following questions carefully and answer from the choices given.

Ques 1.  Which of the following is utilized to advance through a backward option?

(b) SHIFT+TAB

(c) CTRL+SHIFT

(d) CTRL+ALT

(e) TAB+SHIFT

Answer: Option (b) 

Explanation:

The keyboard shortcut Shift + Tab is used to move through choices backward. It is the TAB key shortcut’s opposite behavior. 

  Ques 2. Which key should we press to quickly make a copyright symbol?

(a) CTRL+SHIFT+C

(d) ALT+CTRL+C

(e) ALT+SHIFT+C

Answer: Option (D)

Explanation : 

When adding copyright symbols to our documents or sheets, we employ the combination of the keys Alt + Ctrl + C , which combines the alternative function and control function.

  Ques 3. The TAB key can be utilized for :

(a) Indent a paragraph

(b) Move a cursor across a screen

(c) Align text

(d) Both (A) & (B)

(e) None of the above

Answer: Option (a) 

The tab key divides the page into several tabs and clicking it advances the cursor from one tab to the next of the divided page. 

  Ques 4. To centre the text, which of the following keyboard shortcuts is used?

Answer: option (b)

Computer shortcuts known as Control shortcuts consist of Ctrl + the alphabet. In MS Office, you can centre align the selected text or paragraph by pressing the keys Ctrl + E .

  Ques 5.  What is the final navigational choice on the page?

(a) ALT + F4

(b) CTRL + END

(c) CTRL + INSERT

(d) CTRL + TAB

(e) CTRL + DELETE

Answer: Option (b)

Pressing Ctrl + End in Microsoft Word and other word processors advances the cursor to the document’s end. Everything from the text cursor’s present location to the document’s finish would be highlighted if you pressed Ctrl + Shift + End .

  Ques 6. Which of the following keys is used to refresh the current page?

Answer: Option (c)

The F5 key shortcut also referred to as a functional shortcut, is used to refresh the user’s current web page or site. Nearly all computer keyboards have a function key at the top called the F5 key. The key is most frequently used in an Internet browser to refresh a web page.

  Ques 7.  How do you activate or deactivate the toggle keys?

(a) Press Num lock for 5 seconds

(b) Num lock + Plus sign

(c) CTRL+Asterisk sign

(e) SHIFT+ALT

Answer: Option (a)

Toggle Keys can be activated by pressing the Space bar . Press and hold the Num Lock key for 5 seconds to switch off Toggle Keys. The Microsoft Windows Ease of Access Center, which is accessible through the Windows Control Panel, has these and other Windows accessibility features and options.

  Ques 8. The F4 key is employed for?

(a) To display the items in the active list

(b) To display help

(c) To display desktop

(d) To display system properties dialogue box

(e) None of these

A function key called F4 is located at the top of practically all computer keyboards. To shut open windows and tabs, the key is most frequently used in conjunction with the Alt and Ctrl keys.

  Ques 9.  What we choose to select the first subfolder press:

(a) Ctrl+ Down arrow

(b) Ctrl+ Up arrow

(c) Ctrl+ Right arrow

(d) Ctrl+ Left arrow

(e) Ctrl+ Middle arrow

The cursor can be moved right one word at a time by pressing “Ctrl + Right Arrow”. This is also called the first subfolder press.

  Ques 10. Which key is used to activate the Organize Favorites dialogue box?

Answer: Option (d)

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + B, also known as Control + B, b, and C- b, is most frequently used to turn on and off bold text. The keyboard shortcut for bold on Apple computers is Command + B or Command + Shift + B. Organisation of favorites is also done through this as bold is one of the favorites.

  Related Resources:

Computer Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Ques 11. We use the keyboard shortcut ctrl+F for:

(a) To reach the end of the document

(b) To find the document

(c) To move to the next line in the document

(d) To close the document

(e) To move to the right at a place in the document

Answer: (b)

The shortcut for the Find command on a keyboard is “Control+F” (or “Command+F” on a Mac). The search box will appear in the top right corner of the screen whether you are in a web browser or a document by hitting the Ctrl key together with the F key.

  Ques 12. Windows Logo + Break is the shortcut key used for:

(e) To display another menu

Answer: Option (d) 

On most keyboards of computers designed to run the Windows operating system, the Windows key is a standard key. There may be a second identical key on the right side of the keyboard as well. It is marked with the Windows logo and is typically located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the left side of the keyboard. It is a shortcut key used to display the system properties dialogue box.

  Ques 13. How can I navigate through the backward tab?

(a) Ctrl + Shift +Tab

(c) Shift+Tab

(d) Ctrl+Tab

To switch to the previous tab, or the tab on the left, press Ctrl + Shift + Tab.

  Ques 14. The key used to search for a file or folder is-

( a) Windows Logo + F

(c) Both a and b

(d) Alt+Enter

(e) Alt+Shift

Answer: option (c)

After pressing the Windows key and F , launch File Explorer and choose the desired folder. The second option is using the F3 Key.

  Ques 15. When a character is selected, which shortcut key toggles between enlarged and normal mode?

(b) Spacebar

The blank, space, spacebar, or space key. The space bar key is the lowest row, horizontal bar-shaped key on a typewriter or alphanumeric keyboard. It is substantially broader than all other keys. Its primary function is to conveniently enter a gap, such as between words when typing, in a text field. Alternatively switching between normal and enlarged mode.

  Ques 16. You can use Ctrl + W to:

(a) Open a saved window

(b) close the current document

(c) Open a new window

(d) Open a new program

(e) Go to other menus

Pressing Ctrl + W in Microsoft Word and other word processors terminates the current document. You are prompted to save the document before closing it if there are any unfinished changes in it.

  Ques 17. How do you use a shortcut key to display the favourites menu?

(a) Alt + O

(b) Alt + F

(c) Ctrl + O

(d) Ctrl + F

Alt + O is used to display the favorites menu. As Alt + O will not directly add the favorite menu but using some tab or shift it can.

  Ques 18. Use the Alt + F4 key to:

(a) Close the active item

(b) Quit the active program

(c) Close the console

(d) All of the above

The Windows keyboard shortcut Alt + F4 closes the currently open application entirely. When compared to Ctrl + F4, which closes the active application window, it is a little different. In order to use this shortcut on a laptop, users may also need to press the Fn key in addition to Alt + F4.

  Ques 19. Which key do we use to cycle through the windows or on the desktop?

(d) F10 key

Almost all computer keyboards have a function key at the top called the F6 key. The key is most frequently used to navigate to Windows or on the desktop.

Ques 20. The key used to modify the open window is:

Answer: Option (c) 

Modifying or refreshing the window is the same and that is done by the F5 key.

Explore our Comprehensive Guide to Computer Shortcut Keys , where we cover a wide range of shortcuts, including Windows, Linux, Excel, Gmail, YouTube, and many more.

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How To Remap Or Reassign Keys On Your Keyboard

Unless you own a high-end keyboard or a custom mechanical keyboard , chances are you might not be able to configure your current keyboard’s layout to your liking. Of course, for the most part, we imagine that many people are already satisfied with the way their keyboard has been laid out.

However, if you think that certain keys would be better placed elsewhere, or if you want to disable certain keys, you can actually do that. Unfortunately, there is no native way to remap or reassign keys in Windows, but our guide below will show you several different apps that might be worth checking out if you want to remap your keyboard or reassign several keys.

SharpKeys ( Download )

Also, another thing to take note is that it will write to your computer’s registry, so if you’re not familiar or comfortable with that, you might want to seek out an alternative.

Keytweak ( Download )

For example, some users might not have a need for a Caps Lock key, so they might want to reassign it to something else, such as Ctrl or Alt.

MapKeyboard ( Download )

The UI will also highlight keys in green to indicate that they have been edited, and once you’re done editing, you’ll need to logoff your computer and relogin and you will be all set and the changes will take effect.

AutoHotKey ( Download )

The software we listed above does a very good job of remapping or reassigning keys. However, if you need something a bit more complex and powerful, that’s where AutoHotKeys comes in handy. This is because with AutoHotKeys, with a little bit of time and learning, you can create scripts to run more complex actions.

For example, you can create macros with AutoHotKeys where with by pressing certain keys or shortcuts, you can type certain lines of text, run programs, batch files, and so on. You can even make shortcuts even shorter, where instead of pressing three keys, you can reduce it to two, and so on.

However, like we said, AutoHotKeys is a bit more complex and you will need to learn how to script it, but it can be a very powerful tool once you get the basics down.

Filed in Computers . Read more about Keyboards , Microsoft , Windows and Windows 10 .

Where should fingers be placed on the keyboard?

The information below shows you where to position your hands, and the proper way to place your fingers to type letters, numbers, and special characters efficiently.

Your left-hand fingers should be placed over the A, S, D, and F keys, and the right-hand fingers should be placed over the J, K, L, and ; keys. These keys are considered the home row keys . Your thumbs should either be in the air or lightly touching the spacebar key.

What fingers press each key on the keyboard?

Below are the home row keys, the finger used, and the keys the thumb (spacebar) presses.

The left pinky (little) finger is placed over the "A" key and is also responsible for the second most keys on the keyboard, including the following keys.

• "`" ( back quote ) and when pressing Shift, the "~" ( tilde )
• 1 and when pressing Shift, the "!" ( exclamation mark )

The left ring finger is placed over the "S" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 2 and when pressing Shift , the "@" ( at sign )

The left middle finger is placed over the "D" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 3 and when pressing Shift , the "#" ( hash )

The left index finger is placed over the "F" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 4 and when pressing Shift , the "$" ( dollar sign )
• 5 and when pressing Shift, the "%" ( percent )

The right index finger is placed over the "J" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 6 and when pressing Shift , the "^" ( caret )
• 7 and when pressing Shift, the "&" ( ampersand )

The right ring middle finger is placed over the "K" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 8 and when pressing Shift , the "*" ( asterisk )
• , ( comma ) and when pressing Shift, the "<" ( less than )

The right ring finger is placed over the "L" key and is also responsible for the following keys.

• 9 and when pressing Shift , the "(" (left or open parenthesis )
• "." ( period ) and when pressing Shift, the ">" ( greater than )

; (semicolon) key

The right pinky (little) finger is placed over the ";" key and is also responsible for most keys on the keyboard, including the following keys.

• 0 and when pressing Shift , the ")" (right or close parenthesis )
• ";" ( semicolon ) and when pressing Shift, the ":" ( colon )
• "/" ( forward slash ) and when pressing the Shift, the "?" ( question mark )
• "-" ( hyphen ) and when pressing Shift, the "_" ( underscore )
• [ (left or open bracket ) and when pressing Shift, the "{" (left or open curly bracket )
• ' ( single quote ) and when pressing Shift, the " ( quote )
• Right Shift
• "=" ( equals sign ) and when pressing Shift, the "+" ( plus sign )
• "]" (right or close bracket ) and when pressing Shift, the "}" (right or close curly bracket )
• Backspace or Delete
• "\" ( backslash ) and when pressing Shift, the "|" ( pipe )
• Enter ( Return )

Both thumbs are placed over the spacebar and may also be used for the following keys.

Most people find it awkward to not lift their hands away from the home row to press these keys.

• Windows key

The remaining keyboard keys not listed above are not necessarily assigned to a specific finger for pressing them. Instead, you can use whichever finger is easiest or most comfortable for reaching and pressing those keys.

How many fingers should be on the home row?

With the four fingers of both hands on the home row , eight fingers should be positioned over the home row.

Most don't consider the thumbs "fingers." However, both thumbs should also be hovering over the spacebar.

Should my palms be resting, or should they be raised?

When typing, your palms should be raised and not resting on any surface, including a wrist pad , and held at a 10 to 30-degree angle. Raising or lowering your wrists too much in either direction or resting them while typing can cause stress and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome .

Other keyboard safety tips

While keeping your palms raised while typing, there are also other tips you can follow to help prevent carpal tunnel and pain while you type. Keep the following suggestions in mind every time you type.

• Keep your keyboard home row height as close to elbow level as possible.
• Center the spacebar with your body.
• Do not angle or bend your wrists. While typing, keep your wrists elevated and as straight as possible.
• Avoid hunt-and-peck typing as it causes strain on the neck from having to look down at the keyboard often.
• Don't use more force than needed to press the keys; you don't want to hit the keys, as it could lead to keyboard damage.
• When you're not typing, you can rest your arms and hands. However, never rest your arms, hands, or wrists on a sharp edge.
• Take a break from typing every 20 to 30 minutes. If you have difficulty remembering when to take a break, set a timer or drink water, forcing you to go to the bathroom more often.

Related information

• How to improve your typing.
• Why are there bumps on the F and J keyboard keys?
• See our keyboard definition for further information and related links.
• Keyboard help and support.

How to change keyboard layout on Windows 10

If you have to use more than one keyboard layout on Windows 10, in this guide, I'll show you how.

• Chang layout
• Remove layout

On Windows 10 , in the initial setup, you usually get prompted to configure additional keyboard layouts. However, you can always add or remove layouts if you don't choose the correct setting or must type in another language.

Typically, changing the input settings is uncommon, but there are many situations when you might need to. For instance, sometimes you may need to switch to the Spanish layout to write words that include special characters like "Ñ," or prefer a different layout, such as the United States-Dvorak.

Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 10 ships with easy settings to add, remove, and change layouts for hardware and touch keyboards.

In this how-to guide , I will walk you through the steps to manage keyboard layouts on Windows 10.

How to add keyboard layout on Windows 10

To add a new keyboard layout on Windows 10, use these steps:

• Open Settings .
• Click on Time & Language.
• Click on Language .
• Under the "Preferred languages" section, select the current default language.
• Click the Options button.

• Under the "Keyboards" section, click the "Add a keyboard" button.
• Select the new keyboard layout to add to Windows 10.

• Repeat steps 6 and 7 to add more layouts.

Once you complete the steps, the new keyboard layout will be added to the device, and you can switch between them using the instructions below.

While changing layouts is straightforward, it'll reconfigure some of the keyboard keys, which means some of the keys may print a different character depending on the layout.

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To switch between keyboard layouts on Windows 10, use these steps:

• Click the Input Indicator icon in Taskbar (bottom right).
• Select the new keyboard layout.

• Repeat steps 1 and 2 to switch back to the default layout.

After you complete the steps, you can start typing with the new keyboard layout.

Enable Input Indicator

If the Input Indicator is not present in the Taskbar, you can enable it through the Settings app.

To enable the Input Indicator on Windows 10, use these steps:

• Click on Personalization .
• Click on Taskbar .
• Under the "Notification area" section, click the "Turn system icons on or off" option.

• Turn on the Input Indicator toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, the icon will appear in the Taskbar's notification area to access the layouts and switch between them. You can also use the "Windows key + Spacebar" keyboard shortcut to cycle between the available keyboard layouts quickly.

How to remove keyboard layout on Windows 10

To remove a keyboard layout on Windows 10, use these steps:

• Under the "Keyboards" section, select the keyboard to remove from the list.
• Click the Remove button.

• Repeat steps 6 and 7 to remove additional layouts.

Once you complete the steps, the keyboard layout will be removed from the device.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.

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