Title: 2.P. Choice: Portfolio Choice Item: A New Keyboard Design
Course: Technology Applications

The original typewriters had physical arms that moved for each letter, much like the keys on a piano cause a hammer to strike a cord to create the piano's sounds. Typists became so fast that too many keys would move at close to the same time, causing key jams. The Qwerty keyboard was designed to slow down typists to prevent jamming the typewriter. (Go to the Tech Dictionary link to find out what Qwerty means if you do not know already.)

Since keyboards are digital these days, there is no longer a need for the Qwerty key arrangement. Speed has once again become a possibility.

Your assignment is to design a keyboard that you think will be faster. You will need to include
1. all the current parts or elements of a keyboard, and
2. think about the reach of fingers and hand movement.

Sketch out your ideas or design for a new keyboard. If you use pencil, you will need to ink over or color your sketch so it can be scanned into the computer to be turned in. (Scanners have a difficult time seeing pencil lines.) Otherwise, you could use a digital drawing program to digitally draw your idea; just be sure you save your design as a PDF so it can be turned in and opened by the teacher.