Touch typing is a technique where people type without looking at the keyboard, relying on muscle memory. It’s preferred by professionals and can be learned quickly through practice. Different keyboard layouts can be used, and some people work with shorthand machines. Typing speeds can vary depending on working conditions.
Touch typing is a typing technique in which people navigate the keyboard by touch only, without looking at it. Typists rely on muscle memory to know that their hands are in the right place. This method of typing is generally preferred by professional typists, and employers often ask secretaries and other people who will be working with computers or typewriters on a regular basis to demonstrate such typing skills.
The development of typing appears to date back to the 1800s. Different keyboard layouts can be used, with the QWERTY and Dvorak layouts being particularly popular. In this method, the typist keeps their hands on a “home row” in the center of the keyboard, stretching their fingers up or down as needed to reach keys that lie outside the home row. People usually learn this typing style by showing a keyboard layout and then asking them to practice, with the typist possibly covering their hands and keyboard so that the keys are not visible; experienced typists can do this periodically as a refresher to keep their skills sharp.
Learning to touch-typing is usually a fairly rapid process, and people can reach fast typing speeds quickly. This is in contrast to the so-called “hunt and peck” technique, in which people look at the keyboard to find the keys they need, activating them with their forefinger. This technique is much slower and can also tire your hands more.
Many high schools offer typing classes, and people can also learn online or with the software, with the program providing typing hints and tips that will help people pick up the skills quickly. The best way to learn is to practice diligently and get into the habit of typing a little every day to train your muscles to remember the keyboard layout. Some people find it helpful to work with a different keyboard layout, as some layouts are more intuitive than others.
Typists may also work with shorthand machines and other types of keyboards. Some typists are extremely fast, thanks to years of work experience and training, with typing world records approaching 200 wpm. Typing speeds can also vary depending on the type of writing material and working conditions; it’s easier to type quickly at an ergonomic desk, for example, and in a room with lighting levels appropriate to the conditions.
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