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
href="http://trainingnews.co.uk/freeonlinetypingtest.html" target="_blank">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.
Free Online Courses or Free
Training is a great place to look for free 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 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.
Click here to take the free online typing test: http://www.trainingnews.co.uk/freeonlinetypingtest.html