Alphabetic Keyboard includes all letters of the alphabet, plus the following punctuation keys: semicolon, colon, apostrophe, quotation mark, comma, period, the tab key, and the question mark.
GWAM (Gross Words A Minute) is the calculation of keyboarding speed by taking the total words keyed and dividing by the time allowed. For example, keyboarding a total of 90 words in a three minute timing would mean 90/3 = 30 gross words per minute or 30 GWAM. There is no deduction for errors when calculating GWAM. GWPM (Gross Words Per Minute) is exactly the same as GWAM. The terms can be used interchangeably.
Look for an Elementary Level text that makes it easy for the student to calculate the number of words keyed in a given time. Word indicator scales should be clearly defined and distinct from the practice material. The idea of "student-friendly" calculations are presented in a variety of texts. Straight copy material (text that is to be keyed during the timed writing) is clearly presented. Each line of the straight copy material may have several superior or raised figures placed as required above the straight copy itself. These raised figures are smaller than the straight copy material and are often different in colour. When the designated time has elapsed, the student searches the straight copy material in the text, locating the word that he/she has keyed last. The student needs only to find the coloured and raised figure above his/her last keyed word. That raised figure is the GWAM that the student has keyed during that particular timing. In some instances, the student ends up "between" raised figures. That being the case, the student should use the figure "passed last."
Home Row Position involves placing each finger on a designated "home" key. The fingers reach upward or downward as needed to depress the other keys, but each finger always returns to the "home" position after a key is struck.
Keyboarding is the development of the ability to input data by touch using the alphabetic and numeric keys on a computer and/or typewriter keyboard.
Touch Method of keyboarding involves striking the correct key with the correct finger without looking at the keyboard.
WAM (Words A Minute) is calculated in the following manner. First calculate the GWAM rate. Then have students proofread their timings, circling any words that contain an error such as an incorrect letter keyed, letters have been transposed, etc. It should be noted that one word can count for a maximum of one error, so that if the student keyed every letter of a word incorrectly, this still only counts as one error. There is a deduction for errors when calculating WAM. Once the number of errors has been determined, subtract the number of errors from the previously-determined GWAM or cut off the gross words after so may errors. The result is the WAM rate. WPM (Words Per Minute) is exactly the same as WAM. The terms can be used interchangeably.