|
Learn the Lost
Art of Touch Typing
By Dick
James
Computers have replaced typewriters, but two-finger,
hunt-and-peck 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, “the rapid-fire
100-word-per-minute applicant has virtually disappeared. Today, a
mere 40 words per minute is enough to gain many administrative
jobs.”
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 two-finger, hunt-and-peck 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 low-tech classes consisted of little more than a teacher
with a wind-up 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 phased-out the typing class
as the demand for broader computer instruction increased.
Of course, many people manage to get by with the two-finger,
seek-and-tap method. But getting by is all it is. By learning to
touch-type, 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 30-page report. Instead, as a touch-typist you are free to
concentrate on what you are writing, while your fingers do the
“thinking” about which keys to hit.
How to Learn the Lost Art.
If you are unable to open e-mail 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 90-100 words
per minute then relax; otherwise read on.
Typing tutor software is a low-cost approach that can easily
transform you from a hunt-and-pecker to a 100-word-a-minute
touch-typist. 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.
“Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing” is the leading typing
instruction program, and has been one of
the top ten best-selling 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 typist's frustration factor. It will suggest a
different words per minute goal, throw in a typing game for a break,
or even advise “calling it a day.”
While self-instructional software on typing has proliferated,
some say they’re no replacement for supervised classes. Besides,
for many programs other than “Mavis Beacon”, the entertainment
value seems to outweigh their educational quality. Consider Sega's
“Typing of the Dead” tutorial, for which an ad suggests,
“Trade in your video game controller for a keyboard and start
typing for your life.” The format is to “type” 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 “GO Training” in Glasgow and
“Training Circle” in Northampton, where you will find
instructor-led courses for around ?200. For longer courses leading
to a professional qualification, many local colleges offer excellent
value.
By increasing your typing speed, you really could get more done
each day. Remember the mantra that trainingis an investment, not a
cost. So put yourself on the path to blazing, machine gun-like
typing by buying “Mavis” or enrolling on a touch-typing course.
About the Author
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 Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_James | 
