Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing

Learn the Lost Art of Touch Typing

by: Dick James

Computers have replaced typewriters, but twofinger, huntandpeck typing can never replace the touch typing of a trained professional.

A recent report by Robert Johnson in the Boston Globe highlights the decline of typing skills. Human resource managers are finding it surprisingly difficult to recruit candidates with the most basic of all office skills. According to Johnson, ขthe rapidfire 100wordperminute applicant has virtually disappeared. Today, a mere 40 words per minute is enough to gain many administrative jobs.ข

Paradoxically, as computers are being used by more and more people, it has become apparent that typing is not just a skill required by typist anymore. Strong typing skills are vital when conducting a thorough web search, entering data into a spreadsheet or using any other computer program. Ubiquitous email means that merely doubling your typing speed could save hours each week! Yet many of us persist with the twofinger, huntandpeck typing method.

How did we end up in such a mess? When people first begin to use computers, many do not take the time to learn how to type correctly. Using keyboard may seem to be simple, when compared with learning complex business software. People do not realize that by learning how to type properly, their use of software will be more effective and their time spent on a computer will be more productive.

Attitudes in school teaching have also had an impact. Typing skills were once taught in most secondary schools. Johnson notes that these lowtech classes consisted of little more than a teacher with a windup clock and rows of typewriters. The textbook showed the keyboard and specified which fingers should strike various letters and numbers in order to quickly copy business documents such as invoices and memos. But most schools phasedout the typing class as the demand for broader computer instruction increased.

Of course, many people manage to get by with the twofinger, seekandtap method. But getting by is all it is. By learning to touchtype, you step into a new realm of computer experience. No longer do you need to fret over the physical process of keying in information, whether it is a quick response to an instant message or a 30page report. Instead, as a touchtypist you are free to concentrate on what you are writing, while your fingers do the ขthinkingข about which keys to hit.

How to Learn the Lost Art.

If you are unable to open email account without mistyping your password at least once or you’re stuck at 20 words per minute, there are a several ways to improve. First, check out your current performance by taking a typing test. You will find a free typing test on the UK Training News website. If you can manage 90100 words per minute then relax; otherwise read on.

Typing tutor software is a lowcost approach that can easily transform you from a huntandpecker to a 100wordaminute touchtypist. There are dozens of typing programs available, including freeware and shareware programs. You need to look for a program which won’t bore you to death with tedious drills, won’t frustrate you with poor design or US spelling and which provides enough scope to let you achieve your target typing speed.

ขMavis Beacon Teaches Typingข is the leading typing instruction program, and has been one of the top ten bestselling software titles for over 10 years. A far cry from the first version that came out on floppy disks and had just four colours to display, the latest version has a virtual classroom with the simple to understand icons. Mavis adjusts to the individual problem areas on the keyboard with unbelievable insight and watches for the typistกs frustration factor. It will suggest a different words per minute goal, throw in a typing game for a break, or even advise ขcalling it a day.ข

While selfinstructional software on typing has proliferated, some say they’re no replacement for supervised classes. Besides, for many programs other than ขMavis Beaconข, the entertainment value seems to outweigh their educational quality. Consider Segaกs ขTyping of the Deadข tutorial, for which an ad suggests, ขTrade in your video game controller for a keyboard and start typing for your life.ข The format is to ขtypeข zombies to death by completing words and phrases that appear over their bodies. Some employers say that typing training must be taken more seriously.

Several training companies offer short classroom based typing training in the UK. Examples are ขGO Trainingข in Glasgow and ขTraining Circleข in Northampton, where you will find instructorled courses for around £200. For longer courses leading to a professional qualification, many local colleges offer excellent value. Learndirect is a great place to look for courses, as well as the UK Training News website.

By increasing your typing speed, you really could get more done each day. Remember the mantra that training is an investment, not a cost. So put yourself on the path to blazing, machine gunlike typing by buying ขMavisข or enrolling on a touchtyping course.

About The Author

Dick James is the editor of UK Training News, a free website providing articles, resources and discussion for the UK business and industrial training community.

Article copyright UK Training News, 2004. May be reproduced on any website, provided that all links, the author byline and this copyright notice remain unedited.

This article was posted on March 18, 2004

by Dick James