Thanks to total digitalization, handwritten texts are rarely used, and people have to work more and more at the keyboard. We type text almost every day: when we work, study, or even chat with family and friends. The ability to quickly type texts has become one of the most relevant skills required by everyone. Let’s talk about how to improve your typing skills.
Why develop typing skills
If you type faster, you can free up 21 days a year. Blind typing skills will help you faster and more comfortably do the following:
- programming;
- write letters;
- prepare presentations and reports;
- take notes on something;
- write educational works;
- record your thoughts;
- print at night.
How to learn to type fast: top tips
If you are not satisfied with your typing speed and want to increase it, but have never trained your touch typing skill before, then our recommendations for beginners will come in handy.
Start with one familiar keyboard
Different keyboards can drastically differ in operating feel (key positions, non-standard keys, etc.). Therefore, for learning, it is better to start with a familiar keyboard – at home or work. Choose the one with which you usually spend more time mastering touch typing faster. Don’t worry – once you’ve mastered this skill, you can easily switch to new keyboards in the future.
Explore the keyboard layout
It may seem boring, but without it, blind typing cannot be mastered. The good news is that you don’t have to do this on purpose: you will most likely learn the layout automatically, just if you practice often and the keyboard layout is constantly in front of your eyes. To do this, print it out and put or hang it next to the monitor.
Don’t peep
While using online simulators, it can be difficult not to automatically glance at the keys. What can be done to avoid it? First, if you have a desk with a keyboard niche, hide it there so you don’t see it. Second, place the diagram next to the computer and look better at it than at the keyboard itself. And also periodically turn off the monitor (or reduce the brightness to a minimum) and type texts from books or magazines. Subsequently, you will even practice noticing where you made a mistake, and you can blindly delete the excess.
Type daily
Find at least 15-20 minutes to practice each day. Please note: if you are learning to type in Cyrillic and in Latin, you will have to allocate time for each. Although it is easier to first confidently master one layout, and only then move on to the next. Remember: the result will certainly be noticeable if you type constantly.
Online keyboard simulators: 2 options for practice
Modern online apps help to memorize the layout, develop fine motor skills of the hands and type faster. We have selected several quality services to help you learn typing.
Ratatype
This is a free keyboard simulator, which, thanks to interactive and structured courses, will teach you to confidently type in Cyrillic and Latin. Pay attention to the detailed instructions on how to print blindly.
Benefits:
- free print speed test (with the option to get a certificate);
- support for English, French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Spanish;
- the screen shows a keyboard layout with color-coded keys for the movements of each finger;
- there is a rating of users in terms of speed and correctness of printing (for those who are motivated by competition);
- groups can be created to conduct collaborative typing sessions;
- there is a separate course “The most common mistakes in English”;
- statistics of classes are kept and progress is tracked, there is a system of awards.
Disadvantages:
- fewer languages than other online simulators;
- there are no games to develop typing skills.
AgileFingers
It’s a free online helper that teaches you how to type blindly. We recommend starting with the Lessons section.
Benefits:
- 13 layouts, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Japanese, and other languages;
- it is easy to notice typing errors: incorrectly typed characters turn red and an error beep sounds;
- school activities function allows you to organize touch typing lessons;
- there is a system of goals and levels of printing speed (to move to a new level, you need to pass a test);
- statistics of training time, number of exercises performed, and words typed are kept;
- there are two games to develop your typing speed.
Disadvantages:
- virtual keyboard without color-coding;
- there are no certificates, user rating, and awards system;
- in the game “Save the Sheep” the developers overdid it with difficulty – even at a simple level, you have to switch between Cyrillic and Latin.