XM Knowledge Base
In the digital world we live in, typing is an essential skill for anyone who wants to be successful. Thirty years ago, typing was a specialized office skill mostly performed by secretaries on typewriters. But since then, keyboarding has changed drastically, and so have the requirements for modern typing skills. It's now a necessity to know how to type, particularly for students and working adults. Not only is knowing how to type vital, but so is being fast and accurate at it. Nearly all jobs require proficiency in programs like Word and Excel, and many school programs and lessons rely on computers and technology over paper. Our reliance on computers has increased exponentially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with so many offices transitioning to remote work and schools offering online classes. Knowing how to type leads to faster, more efficient communication, instantaneous feedback, and increased productivity. This is why it is important to learn touch-typing.
Touch-typing is the name for being able to type smoothly by using all of your fingers without looking down at your hands. Being able to touch-type greatly increases accuracy and productivity. The difference in typing speed between two-finger typing and touch-typing is stark: An individual typing a 600-word document will complete it in roughly 30 minutes if they are using two-finger typing, but an average touch-typist can type the same amount of text in only eight and a half minutes.
The time saved by efficient typing can save companies a significant amount of money in the long run. Saving time in an industry that relies on customer service is especially valuable: Customers will appreciate timely and efficient service, leading to higher retention in the long run. Knowing how to type well also makes people more employable, as hiring them as employees is an investment in productivity for companies.
Being a good typist also lends itself to better ideas and clearer organization of thought. Touch-typing frees up mental space for thinking, as you don't have to think about where the next key is before you press it. Being able to focus more on what is being put on the page than on how it is getting there means that the information can be thought out better, more meaningful, and more impactful.
Learning how to type is frequently required in schools today, but plenty of adults never learned how to touch-type properly, as it wasn't a required part of the curriculum when they were young. It can be intimidating to think about jumping into learning a new skill, but this experience doesn't have to be scary. There are many free courses and games online that can take beginner typists through the process of learning to touch-type step by step. You'll typically start with the basics, like knowing where to place your hands and rest your fingers on the keyboard. Then, you can work your way through modules that help you practice finding and typing each letter with the proper finger. With practice, you'll get faster and more accurate at typing.
Even if you already know how to type, online typing games can help you get better at it. These games provide fun ways to improve your skills and make yourself more valuable as an employee. No matter what skill level you're already at, it's simple to hone your typing skills with resources found online, no matter how old or young you are.
Typing Games
- Typing Ninja
- Speed Typer
- Typing Racer
- Space Bar Invaders
- ZType
- TypeRush
- Ghost Typing
- Monologue
- Rapid Typing
- Typing Attack
- Nitro Type
- TypeRacer
- Key Hero
Typing Courses and Lessons
- The Typing Cat, Lesson 1
- Typing Trainer
- Keybr
- Typing Academy
- How to Type
- Byte Back Typing Tutorial
- Getting Started With Typing
- Typing Club
- Typing Tutorial
- Learn Typing
- Ratatype Beginner Typinng Course
- Typing Study: Lesson 1
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