I'm interested to know if people are actually taught to type at school so that they can achieve high speeds with ease, or whether they are just given a computer and left to work it out for themselves. It seems such a waste if they are left to plod along slowly picking out letters with two fingers, but I can't imagine the government paying for typing lessons?
Before computers became so widespread, back when I was a lass, it kind of went without saying that if you had a typewriter or PC you would by definition be able to type properly, but is this the case nowadays? If not, how do people manage to type at any reasonable speed?
2006-11-06 23:51:59 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Practise, practise and more practise. In keyboarding, some schools had the keys covered so you would have to learn to copy type. The more you type the quicker and more accurate you become.
2006-11-06 23:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by dogloverdi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was at school in the seventies I wanted to train to be a secretary so I did office practice/shorthand/typing as my option. Our teacher was not the nicest of teachers and she taught us which fingers pressed which keys on a keyboard then once we had had a few practice lessons she placed a cover over the keys and we had to type like this. It was to show if we had learnt properly she would also go round and slap us on the knuckles with a friggin ruler if we looked at the keys! How harsh is that for you?
We did speed typing etc and I could type very fast also shorthand was good but found that harder and easier to write quicker lol. I passed all exams but never went into secretary work as I hated it after two years.
My daughter said she never got taught which fingers to use for which keys and can type fast but I am faster!!!!!LOl
It took me one min for this reply!
2006-11-07 08:05:15 · answer #2 · answered by momof3 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I learned to type by myself, and according to the various test software I've tried I'm pretty good at it. I use all my fingers (except my left thumb, cos my right thumb hogs the space bar) and have no problem typing accurately at speed.
Back when I took my A levels, the plan at the time was to get an extra GCSE in while you were there, and one on offer was Portman Typing. I didn't take it, but it was there as an option.
Its annoying to me to see so many people typing with one finger of each hand, turnign on CAPS lock for one capital letter instead of holding shift, and people who can't even work out how to do ctrl+alt+del!!
2006-11-07 07:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by ashypoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a semester of typing in High School. I graduated in '93. The class was on real typewriters. I don't remember having computers in school at the time, except for a few Apple IIs. Most of the typing skills stuck with me, but I'm not as fast as I was.
2006-11-07 08:02:42 · answer #4 · answered by debean75 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can touch type. I was not taught at school but managed to build up a reasonable speed even with watching the keyboard!
I think the younger generation probable builds up their speed by using the computer so much more anyway-msn messenger, email & chatrooms help i guess
2006-11-07 08:12:08 · answer #5 · answered by stevethekangaroo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did a short touch typing course when I left university. I would definitely recommend doing one to anyone that is going to be typing in their jobs - and there aren't many jobs that don't require it.
I'm not really quick but I can't imagine having to do type with two fingers and look at the keyboard.
2006-11-07 07:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Oakesy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I touch type if that's what you mean by properly. My mum taught me - she used to work in a typing pool and had a typewriter at home and she taught me with Pitman books. I teach my kids at home and have a couple of disks for them. I don't know if they teach it at school, it's probably a good idea. I teach my kids because it is the best way to get your feelings across and kids need every advantage they can get these days and they will be using keyboards on a scale we could never have dreamt of.
2006-11-07 07:55:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, just because you use a keyboard or have one does not mean that you use it everyday and/or know every key and space in it. In my school, we do offer keyboarding classes that make hte students keyboarding faster. I was able to speed up my typing playing a game where you chat with people online; I was consantly typing and improving my speed. Hope this helps!
2006-11-07 07:56:49 · answer #8 · answered by Spaceye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had IT training at school but funnily enough they didn't teach you how to speed type. There used to be a college course in Edinburgh where you could learn it but I don't think it's there anymore. I have worked with computers for years and am quite a fast typer but I can't do it without looking at the keys. My aunt is old school and she can do it, I am envious of her!
2006-11-07 07:56:28 · answer #9 · answered by koolkatt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I type properly!! Touch Type - i think it was called!!
I was taught to type in school, and it never leaves you I guess! Our teacher would cover our keyboards so we couldnt see the keys!!! how cruel was that!! lol
I cant see how people type with two fingers either!! it must take them an age to type a letter!!
2006-11-07 07:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋