Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Grade 8
Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1) State the number of keys that are found on a standard keyboard
2) State the name of the two general keyboard layout.
3) Categorize the keys on the keyboard.
4) Identify and elaborate on the function of each key.
The keyboard
The keyboard is one of the most common input devices found on a computer. Its layout
resembles that of a typewriter. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the
keys and each press of a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to
produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence.
While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or signs (characters), other keys or
simultaneous key presses can produce actions or execute computer commands.
Keyboard Key Categories
There are several categories of keys that can be found on the keyboard.
Character keys A character is a letter, number, punctuation mark or other symbol. These keys
are displayed in the larger left part of the keyboard.
Command keys (System keys) The Ctrl and Alt are special command keys that are used in
combination with others to perform a specific action. EG to save a Microsoft word document you
may need to hold down the Ctrl key and S.
Modifier keys Caps lock and shift keys are called modifier keys because they change the
function of the character keys. If you want to get a single capital letter you may hold down the
shift key. However you may press the caps lock if you wish to type a large body of text.
Function keys - These keys are generally found on the top of the keyboard and are labeled from
F1 to F12. Their function may differ depending on which program you are using them with.
Cursor-control keys: These keys are commonly found on the top and bottom right. They
include the four directional arrow keys, usually found in an inverted T pattern, as well as the
Insert (or Ins), Home, End, PgUp (or Page Up), and PgDn (or Page Down) keys.
c. Backspace
The backspace key or back space key is a keyboard key used to delete
any character before (to the left of) the current position of the cursor.
d. Delete or del key
This key is used to remove text that is located to the left of the cursor. It is also used to
delete an object from the computer.
e. Home
The home key is a key found on the computer keyboard usually above the end key
on the keyboard. This key returns you to the beginning of the line, document,
page, cell, or screen of where your cursor is positioned.
f. End
The end key is a key found on the computer keyboard usually below the home key
that moves the cursor to the end of the line, document, page, cell, or screen of
where your cursor is positioned.
g. Prtscr
Sometimes abbreviated as PRTSC, Prt Scrn, or Ps/SR, the print screen key is a
keyboard key found on most computer keyboards. When pressed, the key either
sends the current screen image to the computer clipboard or the computer printer
depending on the operating system or software program that is currently active.
Activity
Define the function of the following keys
h. PgUp ___________________
i. PgDwn __________________
j. End _____________________
k. Insert _____________________