Learning rate Analysis of Alternative Keyboards

Abstract

Although alternative keyboards offer ergonomic benefits over the standard keyboard, the standard QWERTY keyboard is still the most widely used. This study was performed to quantify learning rate percentages for four alternative keyboards (chord, contoured split, Dvorak, and fixed split) and understand how physical, cognitive, and perceptual demands affect learning rate by quantifying these measures. Sixteen proficient typists participated in five, three-sentence typing trials on each alternative keyboard, and nine additional subjects participated in 20 typing trials on one alternative keyboard. Time-to-complete and error percentage were collected after every trial, and subsequent learning rates were calculated. Results demonstrated that the learning rate for the fixed split keyboard was significantly different from the learning rates for the other three keyboards. Learning rate negatively correlated to all types of demand (physical, cognitive, and perceptual), so learning rate was slower with higher demand, regardless of the type of demand. Many alternative keyboards have been shown to have ergonomic benefits, and the results of this study would indicate that the learning rates associated with some of the keyboard designs are such that they can easily be implemented into the workplace without long-term productivity decrements.