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Travis

Let’s Meet Our Contest Winner…

Last updated on August 29th, 2022 Travis

Congratulations to Ms. Bortz and her students at Lancaster High School in New York. They won the colorful keyboarding rug and are proudly displaying it in their classroom!

Ms. Bortz was kind enough to share her story on how she discovered TypingWeb and the way her school is successfully incorporating it into their keyboarding curriculum:

“I am a business education teacher and instruct two sections of “Keyboarding and Word Basics.” Last summer (2011) after spending hours “Goggling” keyboarding activities I came across a blog discussing the benefits of TypingWeb. Software that’s fun, interactive and student monitoring and data through a teacher portal for FREE… it seemed too good to be true.

I decided to pilot the website by enrolling as a student and was instantly impressed! Without a doubt TypingWeb lived up to it’s hype! Finally, I found a way to update my course by saying goodbye old keyboarding textbooks and hello to modern technology!!!! TypingWeb allows keyboarding to be taught the way it should be at the student’s own pace by practicing common expressions and REAL words!!

Upon returning for the 2011-2012 school year I introduced my 3 colleagues to TypingWeb. They loved it just as much as I did and we all immediately incorporated TypingWeb into our curriculum. During our first semester we had over 100 students registered and actively using TypingWeb.

As the half-year course concluded our department decided to use the data we had from TypingWeb to create a “Typing Tournament” modeled after March Madness. Students in each classroom were ranked based on their net speed and matched up against another teacher’s students. A “typing test” was performed each day and the highest scorers advanced. The students (and teachers) really got into the “Typing Tournament!” Students who had been eliminated were cheering on their classmates because we all wanted to “bring the title home!” After five days we had our champion who happened to be my student.

I want to thank TypingWeb for helping our school! It has created a win-win for all parties! Students enjoy and benefit from the keyboarding more and teachers value the data, self-pacing and progress monitoring!”

Win a Colorful Keyboarding Rug For Your Classroom!

Last updated on August 29th, 2022 Travis

Contest

We want to brighten up your classroom by giving away this colorful keyboarding rug! The 4’x6’ rug displays 2 color-coded keyboards with corresponding finger placement guides to emphasize proper typing technique. This can be a great addition to any computer lab or classroom.

How to enter the keyboard rug contest

Entering to win our keyboard rug contest is simple. Send us an email requesting to be entered into the drawing. Tell us about your school, where it’s located (city, state), how many of your students use TypingWeb, how you discovered the site, and your role in the classroom. That’s it! Be sure to include the email address associated with your teacher portal account. The drawing will be held on Friday, October 26th at 10am (PDT). Get your entries in before then!

How to qualify

In order to qualify, you must have a classroom of 20 or more active TypingWeb students, teach at a public or private school located in the contiguous United States, and be willing to take a picture of the rug displayed in your classroom (preferably with some happy students around it) that we can use in a follow-up post announcing the winner. For privacy, our follow-up post will not include any names or personal information, and students are not required to be in the photo. Only one entry per teacher portal account will be accepted.

Gettin’ Crazy With the Keyboards

Last updated on August 29th, 2022 Travis

Ergonomics Keyboards

One of the most important, yet amazingly overlooked, aspects of typing is the most obvious… your keyboard! Chances are, you are using the standard, flat, non-ergonomic keyboard that came with your computer. Such standard keyboards can not only hamper your ability to type faster, but can also increase your risk of serious wrist injuries such as R.S.I, or repetitive stress injury. Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, and while we always recommend ergonomic keyboards, let’s take a look at some of the other, more wild options at your fingertips.

SafeType Ergonomic Keyboard

Featuring two vertical keyboard segments, outlying function keys, and a numpad placed comfortably out of reach, the SafeType Ergonomic Keyboard is more reminiscent of a transformer than a keyboard. For those of you looking to reduce strain on your wrists while aboard the U.S.S Enterprise, the SafeType keyboard can be yours for $289 via SafeType

Maltron 3D Keyboard

The Maltron 3D Keyboard is shaped to reduce movement and tension of your wrists while typing by placing your hands in their natural neutral position. Large palm resting pads below the keys allow immediate hand and arm relaxation when not typing, and promote a reduction in arm rotation. Great for those who spend hours a day typing, not so great for those with friends. Yours for around $450 via Maltron

WolfKing Gaming Keyboard

For the millions of gamers out there, W A S D is the difference between getting owned and dishing out the ownage. If this rings true to you, you might want to jump on eBay and track down the now discontinued WolfKing Gaming Keyboard. The WolfKing moves all your most used keys to within press range without the need to move your hand across the keyboard. Previously available for $79, these keyboards can go for upwards of $200.

Have you found an awesome keyboard that deserves mentioning here? Leave a comment and let us know!

Is Your Typing Posture Safe?

Last updated on August 29th, 2022 Travis

Ergonomics

In today’s world we inevitably have to spend some time in front of the computer typing. Did you know that without correct typing posture, your chances of being diagnosed with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) which is a potentially disabling illness caused by prolonged repetitive hand movements, such as those involved in computer use, is significantly increased? Symptoms include intermittent shooting pains in the hands, wrists, forearms, and back. It is important to have a correct typing position to avoid the development of RSI or other

Symptoms include intermittent shooting pains in the hands, wrists, forearms, and back. It is important to have a correct typing position to avoid the development of RSI or other pain-related diseases. Very few of us type for less than 2-3 hours a week, but the majority of us who sit for prolonged hours in front of the computer should keep the following in mind.

Head, Back & Shoulders Straight

In common language you are told to keep your head, back and shoulder straight. The upper arm should be straight and lower arm at 90 degrees straight on the table. The wrists should be at same level as the keyboard keys such that the arm muscles share the typing pressure, not only your fingers. Keep your legs straight down on the floor. The keyboard should not be hit hard and the mouse should not be gripped too tightly. Keep ample space on and under the working table. The computer monitor should be at eye-level at an appropriate distance from you.

The Ideal Typing Posture

In the ideal typing posture both the static and the dynamic muscle loads are minimized. This posture is achieved when the keyboard is below seated elbow height and the keyboard base is gently sloped away from the user so that the key tops are accessible to the hands in a neutral posture. In this position, the arms, shoulders, neck and back can relax, especially during brief rest pauses. Also, in this slightly reclined sitting position the low back rests against the lumbar support of the chair, the elbow angle is opened to promote circulation to the lower arm and hand, the abdominal angle, and the popliteal angle (behind the knees) are opened to promote blood circulation. The feet rest firmly upon the floor.

Take Regular Breaks

It is also very important to take regular breaks. It is advised to take a 5-minute break after every 30 minutes of continuous activity. Make a schedule and fix an alarm if you are already suffering from RSI to alleviate symptoms. Always sit up straight and get some exercise every day. Be especially mindful of your weight. The chair also plays an important role here. It should be non-sliding and have five point bases. Fully adjustable with height adjustments, tilts, backrest, and armrest is ideal. If you fear you have syndromes of RSI, visit a doctor. Do not let the pain increase so much as to disturb your sleep or force you to take a break.

Use Devices to Help

There are many devices available in the market to help you type in the correct posture such as work surface or ergonomic working tables. Monitor arms allow adjustment of the monitor which helps achieve the correct posture. A document stand will allow you keep the documents at eye level, thus reducing stress. Wrist rests help to use the keyboard and mouse correctly, reducing weight on your shoulders. A mouse support strap cuts down the distance between the keyboard and mouse drags it near you to correct your reaching posture and is attached to the keyboard and mouse is placed on this strap. With the correct posture and appropriate devices, you will be able to make use of your time and talent without the fear of any pain!

The Importance of Ergonomics

Last updated on August 29th, 2022 Travis

Ergonomics

Typing ergonomics is the science of preventing common workplace injuries by using proper posture and stretching techniques when at the computer. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendinitis are common injuries developed in the workplace. These occur when muscles, tendons, and nerves of our bodies are strained by repetitive traumatic motion. If your body remains in the same position for several hours a day, or if you’re using the same set of muscles to repeat a task for hours at a time, you may begin to feel discomfort or pain. This is when you would become susceptible to these sorts of injuries. TypingWeb suggests a few simple adjustments in your work habits and workstations that can help prevent these types of injuries from happening.

Make sure your equipment is set up properly

Seat: You should adjust the height of your seat so that your feet are resting comfortably on the floor or on a footrest. Your knees should be bent at a ninety-degree angle (or slightly greater) and your thighs should be parallel to the floor. There should be a two to four inch gap between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.

Monitor: The top of your monitor should be at eye level (or slightly below). It should be 16 to 28 inches away from the tip of your nose. Make sure you maintain an upright head posture with your chin tucked in.

Keyboard and Mouse: Your hands should be level with your elbows (or slightly lower) and your hands and forearms should form a straight line. Keep your shoulders relaxed with your elbows hanging close to your sides. An ergonomic keyboard is a very good way to protect your wrists from injury.

Quick Tips to Stay Safe

Avoid pounding on your keys; do not exert more force than is necessary.
Evaluate your posture while you use your computer at home or at work.
Take short breaks every thirty minutes and move around.
Make stretching a part of your daily routine before and after using the computer.

Computer Stretches

Eyes: Close your eyes tightly and then open them widely and repeat several times. Take your eyes off of the monitor and refocus them on an object thirty feet away.

Hands: Spread your fingers as far apart as you can for ten seconds and then make a tight fist and hold it and repeat.

Neck: Slowly turn your head to the side and hold for ten seconds, then turn to the other side and hold. Slowly tilt your head to the side and hold it for ten seconds, then slowly tilt to the other side and hold. Repeat.

Shoulders: Slowly shrug shoulders in a circular forward motion, then reverse the motion in a backwards motion and repeat. Spread your arms apart and make slow circles forward and then backwards.