Your iPad 2 keyboard may be the virtual one that is built into the unit or you may prefer one of the wireless ones that will give you more maneuvering room for typing larger projects. The virtual keyboard is perfect for those small projects that require few key strokes. It is when you must type for an extended period of time that you will find that the wireless keyboard or the built in keyboard that comes in some of the protective cases is better. If you purchase a wireless keyboard it will be a Bluetooth and should automatically be recognized by your computer when both are turned on. For manual connections just go to the setting menu and find ‘Bluetooth’, then ‘General’. Slide to the on position and you should be able to use the wireless keyboard.
The virtual keyboard is designed to be hidden when you are not in a text-typing field or an area where you would need to use it. If you have downloaded an app and you are in a text-entry area and your keyboard does not appear, it may just be the app was not installed properly or may not be compatible. If you really need the app you will need to delete it, reinstall it, and see if the keyboard will appear. If not, you may have to speak with the creator of the app. You can check to see if your system is functioning properly by going to a text-entry area that you can use the keyboard. If it works, then the app is bad and there is not glitch in your system.
When you are using a Bluetooth device the wireless will disable your virtual keyboard. You will have to disable the Bluetooth then enable your virtual keyboard if you want to use it. Be sure to use the iPad 2 keyboard that you are comfortable with or use a combination of all of them.