Typing Mode: ^ Tab to exit

I have an iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard. For several months it’s worked like a charm. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that if I hit the tab button or the cursor keys it would change into a mode that highlighted icons or features on the app that I was working on. If you touched those keys again it scrolled between the highlighted options. In addition, the screen was outlined with a blue box. Yesterday the keyboard seemed to quit working, but it started working again today. When the unusual mode started, I got a message at the top of the screen that read “Typing Mode: ^ Tab to exit”. I’m not sure what that does, but it didn’t fix my problem. Any suggestions? I just want my keyboard to work the way it used to.

Much thanks for any help.