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. 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 gun-like typing by buying "Mavis" or enrolling on a touch-typing 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 by-line and this copyright notice remain unedited.
Barrington South Lincoln Stretch rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareGOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
MP3 players are Hot! Playing music has come a long... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
Not sure what Windows registry is or how it works?... Read More
If you ask most people what frustrates them most about... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Are you thinking of buying an Apple iPod? Or have... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
If you use a computer, you need to know more... Read More
ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More
IntroductionMac OS X is the most technologically advanced operating system... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
Computers are available in different shapes, sizes and weights, due... Read More
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not... Read More
This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More
Windows Media Player 10 has been full of bugs from... Read More
Freezing is also known as crashing or hanging. It's frustrating.... Read More
So I'll start from the very beginning.One day I was... Read More
Downers Grove limo Chicago ..In this era of Internet, most people are frequent users... Read More
If you are a building a website or a forum,... Read More
Time is money. And when you constantly have to divide... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
As the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
Wouldn't you be shocked to find that your personal sensitive... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions is on the way to popularize it's... Read More
Apache, MysQL and PHP for Windows could be a nice... Read More
ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More
GOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More
There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More
I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More
When you turn on your computer, does it act like... Read More
Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More
In the years of the dot com boom and bust,... Read More
By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More
Winter?the official start of the cold and flu season. Though,... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More
Personal Technology |