A comparison of two typewriter keyboards -- Dvorak and Sholes

A summary of educational literature dealing with typewriter key board arrangements and the acquisition of typewriting skill revealed controversial criticism of the universal Sholes keyboard's arrangement relative to finger dexterity utilization as regards letter use frequencies, fatiguing hand motions which relates to production inefficiencies, and finger reaches which has much to do with accuracy. This study attempted to verify or negate these and other criticisms.

The population of the study consisted of 35 beginning typewriting students at Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama. Two groups of students were used to compare the effectiveness of teaching beginning typewriting to college students using the Dvorak (Simplified) and Sholes (Universal or Standard) keyboards. The groups were combined for classroom instruction with keyboard presentations including numbers and special characters (20 lessons) given simultaneously (in the same classroom) on two channels of a four-channel multiple listening Audio Trainer (cassette recorder). These tapes were synchronized for keystroking and carriage returning. The Tapping Test was used as a statistical control for differences in initial levels of students' aptitudes. All students in both experimental (Dvorak) and control (Sholes) groups had no previous (formal or informal) typewriting instruction and were, therefore, labeled true beginners. IBM Selectric typewriters with interchangeable elements were used. All keys were covered (blanked or unlettered).

Data was gathered, tabulated, and utilized in determining differences, if any, in the achievements of trainees using one keyboard arrangement over the other. Analysis of Covariance and correlation procedures were used as statistical tests.

The major findings of the research were that there was no significant difference in terminal speed scores of students using the Dvorak and Sholes typewriter keyboards on 3-minute straight-copy timed writings. There was a significant difference favoring Dvorak on 1-minute straight-copy timed averages, however. There was a difference favoring Dvorak trainees in two of the seven production categories, enumerations and 3-minute straight-copy timed writings. The Tapping Test better predicted typewriting skill development for the Dvorak keyboard trainees than the Sholes keyboard trainees. The Dvorak keyboard arrangement may have a production advantage over the Sholes keyboard arrangement, but this advantage may reveal itself in short-term production typewriting only.