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Learn
The Lost Art of Touch Typing
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-fire100-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.
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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 thetwo-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 of Touch Typing?
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.
Contributing
Writer -
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.
Click here to take the free online typing test. http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/freeonlinetypingtest.html
http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/ Email:
ivs_newsletter@yahoo.com
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