There are two different ways to type – the “hunt and peck” method where you use your fingers to hit one key at a time to type. Alternatively you can put both hands on the keyboard with your fingers resting on the A,S,D,F and ;, J, K, L keys and thumbs hovering over the spacebar. You can type at a fair speed using more than 2 fingers but with touch typing, you can really maximise your speed by using your fingers in the best way.
With touch typing, you need to become comfortable with finger positioning before you increase your speed. It takes time for the muscles in your hands to develop to make the controlled movements touch typing requires.
A good course is important, to focus on accuracy before speed. You should also look at the set up of your monitor to allow for good posture and invest in a good keyboard. You need to practice not looking down at the keyboard!
How do you remember where the keys are?
Typing without looking is enabled by muscle memory, learning motor skills. Similar functions are used when you ride a bike or play the piano with two hands. Muscle memory is stored in your cerebellum, a part of the brain that sends signals to your body including your fingers, so you move them automatically without having to think about the action.
Why is it so important to know how to type?
Think about the time and effort it takes to write an essay or a long letter by hand. With a computer keyboard, you just press a key and the computer does the rest. You can also remember the correct pattern of keys needed to spell a word correctly.
The Myths
I can’t type without looking down
It is hard not to look down to start with but in time, your brain will automatically remember where the keys are. With the Type IT! touch typing course, your hands will be covered so you will have to type slowly to start with until your memory kicks in.
My hands are too big or too small
With a small child’s hands, yes, they might have wait until their hands are bigger to type. An ergonomic keyboard can help with larger hands because you have more space to move. You can also experiment between using a computer keyboard or a laptop keyboard.
I keep making mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes at the beginning. Keep practising and correct your mistakes and the correct finger positions will become part of your muscle memory. Keep your speed slow to start with and build from there.
I’m not fast enough
As above, the speed will come, but taking it slowly is important at the start until you have learnt the position of the keys.
It will take too much time to learn
Yes it will take time to learn but don’t forget, this is a skill for life which you can take anywhere, to school, University, to work and ultimately touch typing will save you so much time as your typing becomes faster and more accurate.
Typing lessons are not interesting
Lessons are broken up with games to challenge you. Plus, you are learning a new skill.
I have a learning disability.
Touch typing can actually be quicker and less difficult than writing for children or adults with learning difficulties. You learn through muscle memory not repetition and also memorise patterns to help with spelling.
There are a lot of benefits to learning this skill for life and learning to touch type actually can reduce strain on your fingers as you type more evenly and can also stop neck pain from less of that neck bobbing up and down too!
To find out more about touch typing, see:
