4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn How to Touch-Type

[Anonymous]

In middle school, I took a computer course. It taught me basic computer skills that I would use for the rest of my life. I have about 13 years of experience with touch-typing. Yet, I still see people - too many people - at the public library who hunt and peck at the keys. For this myTake, I have compiled a list of reasons why I believe everybody should be touch-typists.

1. Efficiency

Being a touch typist means you are trained to type fast and accurately. You can type as fast as you can think of the words. This level of efficiency is an extremely useful skill in so many areas of the modern world. If you bring your laptop to school and want to follow the professor's lectures, then all you have to do is let your fingers do the work, while your brain can concentrate on understanding and processing the words. If you have transcription software installed, then that may help with transcribing the professor's speech word for word.

2. Professionalism

Being a touch typist makes you look professional and serious about your job or task.

3. Ergonomic Posture

Being a touch typist helps with forming that ergonomic posture. If you sit in front of a computer and type all day, then you should sit properly to avoid bodily injuries. Your back should be upright; your elbows should make a 90-degree angle. If you hunt and peck, then you are very likely to stoop your head, and then you'll wonder why your neck is sore.

4. Typing Games Would Be A Breeze

Some Internet browser games involve typing words accurately and quickly. This is where it really helps to be a touch-typist. You can earn high scores without much effort at all.

[Yumix]

I think this myTake is missing an explanation on what touch-typing is. Using 10 fingers and the home row method is just one part of it (and even that is not explained, there is just a picture which doesn't tell everything).

I personally can touch-type, but I use a hybrid. Basically the only difference for me is that I use only 6 fingers with my own finger/key assignment. I don't use the pinky fingers and thumbs... I just can't get used to it even though I had touch-typing class in school too where we were forced to use them. I'm fast and accurate enough (450-500 keystrokes per minute), so I never felt the need to change it.

[myTake Owner]

I figured that the explanation can be googled or common knowledge.

[myTake Owner]

One key aspect of being a touch-typist is typing fast and accurately without looking at the keyboard. It is "type by touch alone". The speed is usually measured by Words per Minute.

[vishna]

Great MyTake!

I did not learn touch typing, however, I too took a typing class in school, and it was game changing. I was quick then I became super fast at typing. It makes life SO much easier. My boyfriend types with maybe 3 fingers, and it's very inefficient.

[Cccgala]

Interesting. I couldn't type so well with my ten fingers even though I play the piano.

I think Number 2 depends on your occupation though. Maybe this point is more inclined to office/school.

Great take!

[myTake Owner]

I play on an electronic MIDI keyboard and type on the computer keyboard. It is possible. I would highly recommend getting started on touch-typing as soon as possible and practicing until you can type at least 45 words per minute.

[myTake Owner]

I just took a typing test and got 78 WPM. However, I had 6 errors, so the modified result was 72 WPM.

[Prof_Don]

I took a typing class in grade 9, definitely one of the most practical classes I've taken.

People wonder why I type so fast; it is because I have been taught proper form! :)

[brianna_b]

So true. In just the seven years since I took typing in HS, I must have saved hundreds of hours of my life by being able to type.

[Prof_Don]

@brianna_b can u follow me please, Ms. prickly pear? :-P

[zagor]

I took one in middle school, and having would up a software engineer, it has been immensely helpful. I can't imagine how tedious my job would be (or GaG, for that matter) if I had to look for keys all the time.

[zagor]

*wound

[nog6422]

I type fine and I figured it out myself. I have no idea which fingers go where but it works. I don't want to re-learn how to type in a different way. I'm used to it after typing like this for several years.

[GreatnessRevamped]

I'm a programmer and I never learned how to touch type. :D
I learned by typing repeatedly.

Also, the only touch type I need is WASD. :D

[warsevf]

I learned touch typing and I've gain speed but i typed even faster and accurate and even look professional when typing free style

[John_Doesnt]

Isn't that what a secretary is for; to do my typing?