Don't want to take aspiringmusicteacher's keyboard thread off an a tangent, so I'm starting a new one for this question, but look at that thread for the background to this.

How do you deal with the dual use of the word "keyboard"?

I'm fully aware of what it means when referring to an instrument - the approach to which is completely different from that of the piano. I own a keyboard, but I don't really play "the keyboard" as an instrument in its own right. Other than changing the voice and the volume, I don't use any of the features on mine. I can realize chord symbols on a keyboard instrument, but I very rarely play from that style of notation. (You want me to play from chord symbols? Pass me a guitar!). I don't play the style of music that you usually find played on a keyboard.

However, I routinely use the term "keyboard" as a collective noun to encompass organ and piano (and possibly harpsichord and electric-keyboard-played-like-a-piano). If I say I'm going to check my theory written work on the keyboard, I mean any keyboard instrument which comes to hand. I'll talk about 'keyboard facility' to mean the ability to play staff-notated music on a keyboard instrument, 'keyboard navigation' to mean the ability to find one's way around a keyboard instrument, and 'keyboard skills' to mean the extra bits and bobs expected of an organist (and in some cases other keyboard players) - sight-transposition, score-reading, keyboard harmony, figured bass realisation, etc.

Is this something I should avoid? Does it actually cause any confusion, or would most people understand (maybe from context) that I don't mean 'keyboard - the instrument'? I think the terms 'keyboard skills' and 'keyboard harmony' at least are fairly widely understood.
But I'm now less sure about "keyboards" as a short-hand for "(classical) keyboard instruments".

T.

I have no problem with that sort of usage.

Nor me. It's a pity that when they introduced the electronic keyboard that they couldn't just come up with a fresh new name for it! But the usage you're talking about pre-dates the usage of 'keyboard' meaning electric keyboard.
As far as confusion is concerned, among musicians you're probably going to be understood, but 'outsiders'( ) may think about the electronic instrument first, and need an explanation.

I tend to call my Yamaha keyboard a synthesizer and keep the name of "keyboard" for other uses. It is rather a mouthfull though. I wish that the makers would come up with another name.

I use the term "keyboard" to refer to any keyboard based musical instrument whether piano, organ, synthesizer, harpsichord, electric piano, Hammond organ, etc. etc.
I really hate the contemporary British use of the word keyboard to refer to just toy-like electronic instruments...

throw another use in to the mix

keyboard family
electric keyboard
also....the keys on the piano

All are valid (although some not as good instruments as the others ) (sorry)

Yes, I'd also use the term "keyboard" a lot when talking to pupils..."finding you way about on the keyboard" rather than "the piano", but they understand what is meant by this.

All of the instruments mentioned in above posts I'd refer to as "keyboard instruments", just in the same way as you'd think of a stringed instrument. They have something in common but are all very unique.

The only problem is, there is no such instrument as a "string" or a "woodwind", but there is one called a "keyboard"

I don't think there's a problem with referring to doing something "at the keyboard", without specifying a particular instrument. That seems fine!