Typing Objectives

Typing is an excellent way to introduce students to computer literacy and to improve one's ability to interact with the computer. Once you know how to type, you do not have to search for the key to press and you can concentrate on the application at hand.

Objectives for new students are to develop an ability to:

Use the correct technique.
Key data quickly and accurately.
Demonstrate operational skills in using the computer.
Be able to key accurately at a rate of 35 Words Per Minute (WPM).

When teaching, we maintain "strict control" for the first few sessions. Start with the home row keys and progress in a lock-step fashion learning the basic keystrokes. Then we encourage the student to work at their own pace.

In the second session, learners should try to key a home row exercise at 20 wpm or greater. Again, don't worry about errors, just concentrate on using the correct finger to strike a key.

The exercises after home row are keys "g" and "h". At this point learners should be able to key without looking at their hands.

Lesson Plans? Plan on about 6 weeks, at 45 minutes per day to develop speed and accuracy proficiency. This is hands-on time.

Touch typing consists of learning how to type by thinking the character. You are developing a motor reflex pattern whereby your brain has your fingers to do its bidding. This requires practice.

Thus a major learning objective is to achieve at least three sessions of 45 minutes each of hands-on time per week.

Actually, daily sessions, five days per week of about 45 minutes duration are best. If learning in a home environment, whatever you can "squeeze into" your schedule is fine.

Typing Tips

The home row keys are very important. You need to train your fingers in the correct keystroke reaches.

Strike a key. When typing, don't just press a key. Strike the key, then quickly return the finger to its assigned home row key.

Fingers on home row. Your fingers should gently rest on their home row keys.

Pretend you are a Cobra. Using the correct finger, strike the key. Then quickly return the finger to its assigned home row key.

Monitor your monitor. Adjust the angle of your monitor to minimize glare. Tilt the angle of the screen or slightly darken the room.

Relax and stretch. Periodically get up and move or stretch your neck, arm, and hand muscles to combat fatigue.

Typing requires practice. Practice improves typing speed and accuracy.

Use the correct finger when striking a key. When first learning, concentrate on striking the correct keys without looking at your fingers. Do not be too concerned with speed or accuracy. Both will improve as your skills develop.

Errors will happen. When an error is made, retype the key immediately! Don’t think about it, your brain knows it didn’t communicate correctly with your finger. Just move on!

What's Involved?
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Typing Fable

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F.A.Q.

Learning to type. You learn how to type by developing motor reflex patterns When these reflex patterns occur, your fingers will be able to strike the correct keys automatically.

Sit the same. If the keyboard or your posture position changes, sound typing skills will not develop. Always maintain correct posture. If you do not sit up straight and keep your feet flat on the floor, the angle of your arms will change; thus changing the keystroke reach. This throws off your speed and accuracy.

Develop a routine. Set the work environment like you want it to optimize your learning sessions. Don’t let the chair height; tilt of the monitor, location of the keyboard or posture vary from session to session.

Don’t worry about speed and accuracy. Relax! However, always use the correct finger - keystroke pattern. Speed and accuracy will develop naturally through practice once your fingers have been “correctly trained.”

Which exercise would you select?
With Nimble Fingers You select the drill of interest to you.

The samples shown are not part of the 500 plus typing exercises
available with the Word Wacker and the Typing and Data Entry
programs.

These are additional exercises available for FREE
downloading from the web. This series of exercises deals with
"fast animals." There are exercises on numerous topics.

How about an exercise on a falcon?
The amazingly quick peregrine falcon is the fastest
creature on Earth. Falcons can be trained to hunt and
kill small game. The bird has extremely sharp talons,
a curved beak with many jagged notches, and long
pointed wings that fold back when they silently dive
for their prey at speeds of 220 mph.

Or an exercise on a pachyderm?
Pachyderms are huge thick-skinned mammals with big
feet. Those with a long, flexible snout are elephants.
Two ivory tusks grow out of the upper jaw. These
denizens travel in herds, and are commonly found in
India and Africa. When racing at a full charge, the
elephant is quite capable of reaching speeds of 24 mph.

How about an exercise on an ostrich?
The ostrich belongs to the largest and most powerful
species of birds. His cousins are the rhea and emu. The
ostrich looks quite out of proportion with a small head,
extremely long neck, short useless wings, and just two
toes. These amazing birds can run 30 mph, and have been
trained to be ridden like a horse in some cultures.

Or an exercise on a swift?
The sooty-brown swift is a quick-flying bird that feeds
exclusively on juicy insects caught in their wide mouth
while zipping through the sky. The birds fly and feed
continuously except if it is raining. Their wings,
which appear to beat alternately, are built for extreme
speed. They have been clocked at 120 mph.

Or an typing exercise on a sailfish?
The sailfish is a beautiful large tropical marine animal
related to the swordfish. The sailfish is known to
weigh in excess of 200 pounds and can easily zip across
the ocean at 68 mph. It is named for its unique sail-like
dorsal fin and can jump to great heights from the water.
It is a valued catch for the sport fisherman.