Learn To Type Already!

74

By theblackedition

QWERTY is a popular combination of letters that you can associate with a typical English keyboard, but the question is "Are these letters popular enough so that the fingers of your LEFT hand can type them in correct order without you looking at them?" A simple feat it is, and is a part of the overall technique of typing. Simple typing skills can get overlooked quite easily, especially if there is no great need for someone to type with greater efficiency. However, having a solid typing technique can go further than that, and can actually prevent injury to certain muscles and tendons of the hands.

Speed, Accuracy and Dexterity are three elements related to how efficient one's typing skills are.

by Stephanie Robin
See all 3 photos
by Stephanie Robin

I am proudly a:

  • One Finger Popper
  • Major-Minor Tapper
  • 10 Finger Virtuoso
See results without voting

What Kind Of Typist Are You?

  1. One Finger Popper: Such a typist is at the absolute beginner stage, and will commonly use the index finger(s) to type letters and other characters at a very slow rate. A common question could be: "Where is the J key?" Such a typist will spend time looking at the keyboard keys to locate specific keys to press.
  2. Major-Minor Tapper: Typists at this level have unorthodox techniques, but it gets the job done at varying paces. Actually, some typists at this level type very fast and accurately. Most still tend to look at the keyboard to check if they are pressing the correct keys. This is because there is no complete structured system for the fingers. These typists tend to have the fingers of one hand doing most of the typing (major), while the fingers of the other hand do a little thing here and there (minor). There are cases where typists in this category don't even use all of their fingers to type.
  3. 10 Finger Virtuoso: These typists are advanced in their technique that is based on a structured system. This system means that each key is only pressed by a particular finger at any time. Virtuosos can type in the dark. There is no need to look on the keyboard, because the fingers 'know where to go'. The only time these typists need to look on their keyboard is when they need to clean it.

Resources For Learning How To Type

Now that you have established what typing level you are at, move on to the next step by either continuing your proper typing technique or starting from scratch. You may have been typing for a long time, but now you may realize that you need to learn how to truly type like a 10 Finger Virtuoso.

Many resources are available for learning and practicing typing including tutorial sessions with human teachers, online sites or even software.

Computer Typing Lessons : Memorizing Keys on the Keyboard

Keyboard Fingering Chart

courtesy of vjayforvictory.com
courtesy of vjayforvictory.com
shutterstock.com
shutterstock.com

Typing Software

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 18
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 18
Amazon Price: $4.00
List Price: $9.99
Typing Instructor Platinum
Typing Instructor Platinum
Amazon Price: $13.99
List Price: $29.99
Typing Instructor Platinum 21 [Download]
Typing Instructor Platinum 21 [Download]
Amazon Price: $13.99
List Price: $29.95
Typing Instructor For Kids Platinum (Windows/Mac)
Typing Instructor For Kids Platinum (Windows/Mac)
Amazon Price: $12.98
List Price: $19.99

Ergonomic Tips For Good Typing

  • Relax your shoulders.
  • Sit upright.
  • Let your forearms and hands be horizontal.
  • Let your thighs be horizontal.
  • Plant your feet on the ground.
  • Let your eye level be roughly the same level as that of the top of the computer screen.
  • Make sure your lower back is supported.
  • Type at your own pace.


Comments

SiddSingh profile image

SiddSingh 2 years ago

So, now I know that I am a major-minor tapper! I certainly enjoyed reading this hub.

theblackedition profile image

theblackedition Hub Author 2 years ago

haha, yep I am a major-tapper myself! and seeking to change that. Thanks man.

jstankevicz profile image

jstankevicz 2 years ago

I love having a label for the way I type - Major-Minor Tapper. The left hand does most of the work, because I prefer the letters over there. Actually I'm a three handed typer - left, right, and spell check.

theblackedition profile image

theblackedition Hub Author 2 years ago

Hey J! three-handed typist haha - how about that. Yeh my left hand prefers the letters to the left too.

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