Direct Computer Keyboarding Resources

2014-02-10

Learning how to type may not sound like the most fun way to spend free time, but building typing skills has many advantages besides helping kids to surf the web and email faster. One advantage is that it allows teens to type up homework and reports quickly and neatly. Hunting and pecking for keys on the keyboard takes a long time. Being able to type papers quickly leaves more time to hang out with friends, play sports, and relax.

An Important Skill

Most teachers and professors require homework and papers to be typed, but even if they don’t, typed work looks much better than handwritten work and shows that a student is willing to put in a little extra effort -not to mention more errors can be found when proofreading on a computer due to spell check and grammar check features. Another advantage of learning keyboarding skills is that it can help teens get jobs. Fast, accurate typists can find jobs in a wide variety of office positions.

Receptionists, secretaries, and IT specialists are just a few examples of entry-level positions that require excellent typing skills. These jobs can lead to better jobs down the road or can provide a good experience for later careers, not to mention extra cash for cars, clothes, and college savings.

Keyboarding skills also come in handy when applying for jobs or trying to get into a good college, as they’re needed when creating resumes, letters, and personal statements. In a competitive age when almost everyone knows how to use a computer, being able to type quickly and accurately can give a teen the extra edge!

Learning How to Type

Unfortunately, keyboarding isn’t always taught in school, and if it is, there may not be much time given to it. Teens that want to better their keyboarding skills may have to practice on their own time; however, learning to type quickly and accurately doesn’t have to be boring. There are a number of websites that offer typing practice, drills, tests, and games for free. A lot of them are actually fun!

Typing Exercises

There are exercises for people of every age and typing ability, from those that are completely new to typing to the advanced typist. Don’t forget to learn about the right way to position the body and hands when typing! Correct hand and body position while typing is important to prevent wrist injuries and eye strain.

Most typing practice falls into one of four categories: exercises, dictation, tests, or games. Exercises involve typing rows of letters. Beginner exercises focus on learning the correct placement of the hands on the keyboard and the home row keys, and then learning what fingers to use for the rest of the keys.

More advanced exercises teach how to use the number keys and other lesser used keys. Most typing websites will offer multiple levels of exercises. Some will offer the option of dictation exercises, in which the computer reads the words or letters to be typed. This is very useful to teens who want to go into careers like medical transcription.

There are a large number of websites that offer typing tests that figure out the number of words typed per minute. These tests provide great practice for the real world, as some employers will ask applicants to take these tests.

Games

Last but definitely not least are typing games. There are many different kinds of typing games, from ones that are similar to video games to ones that have the user type the letter before it disappears from the screen. Games focus on different parts of typing depending on the typist’s skills; they may focus on hand placement, speed, or accuracy. They are definitely the most fun way to learn how to type! Please take a look at these links to find free typing exercises, tests, and games:

Basics/Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Games

Henley Johnson

Henley currently works as a sales representative for Direct Liquidation, assisting businesses with product sourcing of liquidated merchandise from the largest retailers in the world. Whether you are looking for a pallet or a truckload Henley is here to help you grow your business.

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