An essential skill to use a computer is to know how to touch type; it took me years before I learned how to type fast without looking at the keyboard. But nowadays there are typing tutors to speed up this process which led me to write this guide to help people looking for a touch typing tutor, be it downloadable software or a web-based tutor, find one that best suits your needs.
Computers are an essential part of our life nowadays, be it for leisure or professional use we can’t simply not live without it. Touch typing is an essential skill needed for anyone using a computer these days, whether they are simply using to chat with their friends on msn or to write professional articles like I’m doing right now.
Back in the days of the old typing machines you had to take classes to learn how to type faster. A lot has changed since those days but anyone that is looking to learn or improve their typing skills must make use of a typing tutor, the advantage today is that you can easily download one or even use a web-based tutor.
So what to look for in a touch Typing Tutor?
First and foremost you need to decide what age group is the program aimed at, since there are specific software’s for each group (kids, juniors and seniors).
Will it be used at home or in schools? Most typing software suits both needs but make sure you choose the one that suits your needs best.
Does it offer educational benefits such as helping to improve reading, spelling and grammar skills? Depending on the age group that you are planning to use the program with this is extremely important.
Make sure it suits your language skills and literacy, we all know the spelling differences there are between American English and British as well as Australian.
Avoid typing tutors that market magic formulas such as type like a pro in less then a day. Generally a good typing program will improve keyboards skill within a week but that doesn’t mean that you or your pupils are then ready to give up the program. Remember practice makes perfect.
Is it special needs friendly? Children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism/ASD and VI have great difficulty in writing but that doesn’t stop them from learning how to type and teaching touch typing for them can be life changing to say the least.
Does the program have tests to measure improvements? It is extremely important to measure the achievements after completing the learning levels. Normally the achievements are measured with a speed test (how many words one can type in a given period of time).
Now that you know what to look for in typing tutor you can rest assured that you won’t be wasting your money with ineffective programs and that you or your pupils will have their keyboarding skills improved.
Remember not knowing how to touch type is like writing with a feather and pot of ink to write - painfully slow! Stop hunting and pecking and start improving your typing skills right away.
Touch typing is an essential skill that must be mastered by everyone using computers and remember it is never to late to learn to touch type.
