Samskruth Keyboard- Benchmarking for Speed TYPING (WPM)

Abstract: A review of current understanding and models for benchmarking of ‘Digital Literacy and Numeracy’ under NEP -2020, International approaches for non-English languages, non-English like Indic scripts, specifically for Samskruth scripted in Devanagari and all Indic Scripts is placed for reference. Connecting NEP 2020 vision with the FLS -2022 study report guidelines for NIPUN BHARATH Abhiyan, a proposal on how Samskruth Devanagari Keyboard can help to build bench markers is submitted.

Preamble: Digital literacy for Sanskrit is a pivotal concept that was introduced in 2020 through the National Education Policy (NEP). NEP aims to foster digital literacy in Sanskrit, bridging the gap between classical norms and modern digital skills, while ensuring cultural pride and inclusivity. Samskruth Typing speed is an essential skill for efficient digital document creation and editing related communication and productivity. It’s measured in words per minute (WPM), which indicates how many words you can type accurately within a minute.
The concept of WPM (Words Per Minute) is very popular on Latin alphabet Keyboards (English Keyboards as they are popularly known with QWERTY layout ). WPM is calculated by dividing the number of words typed (with no typos) in a minute by five. For example, if you type 100 words (including spaces) in a minute, your typing speed would be 20 WPM. In the context of Latin alphabets model of writing/ keying in system, the average person types around **35 to 40 words per minute. This is a decent speed for everyday tasks. To achieve a higher level of productivity, aim for a typing speed of **60 to 70 words per minute**. Remember that consistent practice is key to improving your typing speed. Typing speed in Devanagari for Samskrutham, is like Hindi typing speed, measured in words per minute (WPM), just like in English. The metrics are almost on par, though the scripts differ in their writing system. Average Typing Speed: The average person types around 30 to 40 words per minute in Hindi . This is a decent speed for everyday tasks. To achieve a higher level of productivity, aim for a typing speed of 50 to 60 words per minute in Hindi.

Analysis of the challenges in evolving a Benchmarking Standard for Samskruth Language – Indic Scripts Digital Literacy and Numeracy

Digital literacy facilitates classical literacy skills to work with language data in digital document formats. However, the current global digital infrastructure is not naturally tuned in favour of non-English languages; and more so for non – English Indic scripts, specifically for Samskruth scripted in Devanagari and all Indic Scripts. This presentation connects DIGITAL LITERACY and NUMERACY visioned in NEP – 2020 ushering in a necessity for establishing methods to benchmark Digital Sanskrit literacy in a plurality of Indic Language Scripts using a KEYBOARD to generate a Digital Language document with the ‘NIPUN’ is a National Mission abbreviation for National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy. NCERT- Ministry of Education, Government of India, supported by UNICEF – has generated a National Report (= Nipun Bharath – Foundational Learning Study: FLS- 2022 report) addressing the Benchmarking for Oral Reading Comprehension and Numeracy in several Indic Languages; and ‘Samskruth is NOT covered in this study.

Typing may not be that simple as it looks. In fact, for typing you do need typing speed specific skills. The person will have to practice consistently. To achieve typing speed goal, WPM test helps. This not only calculates your typing speed per minute but also focuses on to improve with the accuracy factor. The practitioner will know the number of words typed in a minute with the accuracy percentile. The result of the test is based on two factors. The typing speed and the accuracy. You must know, the division of a long word is also counted. The keyboard design, the keys, the layout and users language familiarity are equally important factors.

FLS –report addresses Oral reading fluency where the eco system is working with Print books, mother tongue medium of language learn- use. In this framework, where Grade-3 students come in (-Age group of around 9 years) does not involve wedging of ‘English’ for the anglicised representation of Mother tongue scripts, phonemes and vocabulary. The scenario also does not involve use of ‘Computers’ to study ‘Digital Literacy and numeracy’. Therefore, there is a specific need to address a method and system for evolving a Benchmarking Standard for Samskruth Language – Indic Scripts Digital Literacy and Numeracy, with focus on ‘Mother Tongue Indic scripts, Classroom texts, Local Cultural Context and without intervention of ‘Anglicized representation of Devanagari Samskruth / Indic Scripts.

Global Nature of the Problem: WPM measure is an outcome of the proliferation of Hardwares associated with Digital literacy, a relatively new concept that entered to the semantic space.
Benchmarking WPM under Digital Literacy is a global challenge and is addressed by several studies from international organizations.

The following are the bench marked figures for reference.

The average typing speed is around 40 words per minute. To achieve a high level of productivity, aim for 60 to 70 words per minute instead. The following table presents different levels of assessment for an adult.
Targets for an adult Words per minute (wpm) Characters per minute (cpm)
Average speed 40 wpm and over 200 cpm and over
Above average speed 50 wpm and over 250 cpm and over
Productive speed 60 wpm and over 300 cpm and over
High speed 70 wpm and over 350 cpm and over
Competitive speed 120 wpm and over 600 cpm and over
Typing faster means learning how to properly position your hands, use all the fingers, hit the right keys without looking at them and avoiding mistakes.

SUGGESTED METHOD FOR BENCHMARKING FOR SAMSKRUTH DIGITAL LITERACY USING SAMSKRUTH KEYBOARD, WITH A NATIVE NATURAL VOICE PHONETIC LAYOUT

Goal: (A) Class 3 level children [9 years age around] should be able to KEY-IN at least 15 words per minute correctly with proper pronunciation from classroom textbook lesson prescribed in the native indic script for the Samskruth Document provided/ displayed on the SCREEN. [Test Point: Language VOICE AND SCRIPT ASSOCIATION AND KEYING IN SEQUENCE to generate Digital Screen Visual of Text. Proper Phonetic Association and Pronunciation are the key].

Goal: (B) Class 4 and above till level 9 children [9 to 14 years age around] should be able to KEY-IN at least 30 words per minute correctly in Series and sequences of Characters from Samskruth Verses from classroom texts, which covers the totality of vowel and consonant combinations, [Test Point: Progress in Computer skills and Speed –efficiency].

Goal: (C) Class 9 level children [15 years age around] should be able to KEY-IN at least 30 words per minute correctly in Series and sequences of Characters from unknown Samskruth Verses by SEE – LISTEN –KEY IN TRANSCRIPTION MODE, using Samskruth Keyboard in Devanagari and at least one another Indic script . [Test Point: Computer skill in using Keyboard for VOICE – TRANSCRIPTION Proper Phonetic Association and Keying in as Pronunciation are the key].