User manual

SECTION 3 MASTERING THE ALPHABETIC KEYS

U800002, Rev. 1.2, October, 2002

Continuing DataHand Skill Development

Here are alternatives for continuing your DataHand skill development until you pass your flat

keyboard skills. Once you have reached this level of expertise, you will be able to alternate

with a flat keyboard and the DataHand system. It's similar to learning to speak two

languages.

• One way to reinforce/increase your DataHand keyboarding skill is to repeat the drill

materials in this manual.

• Purchase a keyboarding textbook and key the drills that follow the introduction of the

letters and numbers. Most of the current instructional keyboarding programs include

software that functions with a commercial word processor or contains its own word

processor.

• To build speed in keying letters of the alphabet, pick out drills in keyboarding texts

that feature balanced-hand words and drill lines that contain words starting with the

same digraph.

A balanced-hand word can be keyed faster than words keyed with one hand.

Here are examples of balanced-hand words: for, and, the, man, lake, paid, then,

when.

A digraph consists of the same two letters at the beginning of each word keyed.

Here are examples: the, this, these, those, thought, them, through, thing, then.

• If accuracy is a concern, the way to improve on it is to concentrate. Fatigue has a

dramatic affect on accuracy. One way to minimize fatigue is to take a break in your

practice every 15 to 30 minutes. Even if it's nothing more than standing up and

shaking your hands at your side; it helps concentration. Another way to improve

accuracy is to key double letter words and longer words -these drills assist in eye-

hand coordination.

Double letter words force your fingers to slow down. Key drill lines that feature

double letter words such as: ladder, matter, latter, Will, till, common, narrow,

tall, ball, fall.

Longer words force your eyes to concentrate on detail. Here are examples of

longer words that help coordinate eye-hand movements: technology,

quaIifications, ramifications, instructional, characteristics, organizational.