The effects of a spatial tonal relationship on keyboard typing proficiency

Abstract

The role of vision when operating a keyboard is critical, affecting both hand placement and button searching processes. As a result, individuals with visual impairments may have difficulties with these tasks, ultimately affecting their ability and proficiency to type. Technological advances often make it harder for those with visual impairments to successfully and efficiently use modern-day communication devices. The concurrent presentation of auditory and visual feedback can have an augmentative effect on the performance of motor skills (Lewiston, 2009). This study examines the role of auditory feedback on learning a novel keyboard. Using the spatial tonal compatibility relationships thought to be inherent in humans (e.g., Pratt, 1930; Mudd, 1963; Hansen et al., 2013), auditory tones were assigned to all alphabetical keys of a DVORAK keyboard. Participants were assigned to a Compatible (COMP) or Incompatible (INCOMP) condition, such that higher tones were associated with keys either higher and rightwards, or lower and leftwards, respectively. Results suggest that, on average, participants commit fewer errors overall and are faster at performing the task 48-hours post-task acquisition. This is consistent with a learning effect, such that throughout the study, participants are able to type letter sequences at a faster and more accurate rate. Results will be discussed in the context of a spatial tonal relationship and the relative strength of learning these relationships as a function of practice.