typing

[GMN]

How many of you type without looking at the key board?

I for one can't type this way, and do look at the keyboard, yet there are a few words I find myself still constantly reversing letters with, such as because, and the, really frustrating.

Gail

 

[john250]

Mom forced me to take summer school typing. "You're going to college and you'll need to type". (She was right)
I don't have to look at the keys, but I've never gotten back to the 75 words/min with 2 errors that I could do at the end of the class.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Gail,

I don't look until I make a mistake. Back when we took typing in HS on the manual typewriters, the keyboards were not marked with the letters.

There are too many words that just come out automatically. Anything that starts out i-n-s comes out as "instrument". I think that is why I blow so many "there, their, and they're" in my typing. I definately know the difference but often blunder those.

Spell and grammar checks will definately spoil you. I don't even bother to check spelling in the dictionary now. I also typo words that 2nd graders can spell.

 

[Lammie]

How many of you type without looking at the key board?

I for one can't type this way, and do look at the keyboard, yet there are a few words I find myself still constantly reversing letters with, such as because, and the, really frustrating.

Gail

The more I type the better I get at it. That being said, I have trouble typing off of a written page. I do peak from time to time, especially if I have to use the letters Q, X, Z. They are just a little out of the way for me. And I verys sedom use the right shift key. That comes from learning how to type the wrong way when I was young. I make a lot of mistakes.

Edited so that I can go back and point out my errors... Yep, I suck! :oops:

 

[Green Creek]

I am not as fast as I used to be but it isn't necessary now that I am retired. Helped put my husband through college on a typewriter and then my kids and am darned glad I am not chained to one anymore.

 

[warpaint]

I've used the old tried and true, "hunt an peck" method for years.

I make a few mistakes, even this way. Heck, nobody's perfect. :lol:

 

[GMN]

Gail,

I don't look until I make a mistake. Back when we took typing in HS on the manual typewriters, the keyboards were not marked with the letters.

There are too many words that just come out automatically. Anything that starts out i-n-s comes out as "instrument". I think that is why I blow so many "there, their, and they're" in my typing. I definately know the difference but often blunder those.

Spell and grammar checks will definately spoil you. I don't even bother to check spelling in the dictionary now. I also typo words that 2nd graders can spell.

I took typing in Jr High, it was the second only class I got a D in, I hated it!

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

I took typing in the 8th grade. Practiced typing my mother's papers for her M.S.

In the Army, I was a Typing Instructor.

In college, I put myself through couple of years typing for others and consulting with others (including some teachers) on their term papers in my spare time. Back in 1960's could earn up to $15-20 an hour.

When I used an IBM Selectric, my speed was about 70-80 wpm. Once I got a computer, my "straight copy" speed kicked up to close to 100 wpm. I don't use spell checker since I'm a good speller...lol. Prepare all of our advertising copy, brochures, etc. on computer.

Typing is not a luxury anymore...it's a necessity in most jobs...at least computer savvy is...

 

[Lammie]

Gail,

I don't look until I make a mistake. Back when we took typing in HS on the manual typewriters, the keyboards were not marked with the letters.

There are too many words that just come out automatically. Anything that starts out i-n-s comes out as "instrument". I think that is why I blow so many "there, their, and they're" in my typing. I definately know the difference but often blunder those.

Spell and grammar checks will definately spoil you. I don't even bother to check spelling in the dictionary now. I also typo words that 2nd graders can spell.

Me, too. My parents made me take it. I made a C. I did slog through my junior research paper myself. Took days. Literally. I had a lady type my senior paper. Trouble was, she took it upon herself to "correct" some of my grammar. I had to retype it. Once again, took days.

I had to type a lot at MHM, but it was mostly redundant stuff that just automatically comes out on the page. My son does about 80WPM.

I took typing in Jr High, it was the second only class I got a D in, I hated it!

 

[GMN]

I took typing in the 8th grade. Practiced typing my mother's papers for her M.S.

In the Army, I was a Typing Instructor.

In college, I put myself through couple of years typing for others and consulting with others (including some teachers) on their term papers in my spare time. Back in 1960's could earn up to $15-20 an hour.

When I used an IBM Selectric, my speed was about 70-80 wpm. Once I got a computer, my "straight copy" speed kicked up to close to 100 wpm. I don't use spell checker since I'm a good speller...lol. Prepare all of our advertising copy, brochures, etc. on computer.

Typing is not a luxury anymore...it's a necessity in most jobs...at least computer savvy is...

Any suggestions for me to practice and learn to type without looking?

Gail

 

[dun]

I took typing in the 8th grade. Practiced typing my mother's papers for her M.S.

In the Army, I was a Typing Instructor.

In college, I put myself through couple of years typing for others and consulting with others (including some teachers) on their term papers in my spare time. Back in 1960's could earn up to $15-20 an hour.

When I used an IBM Selectric, my speed was about 70-80 wpm. Once I got a computer, my "straight copy" speed kicked up to close to 100 wpm. I don't use spell checker since I'm a good speller...lol. Prepare all of our advertising copy, brochures, etc. on computer.

Typing is not a luxury anymore...it's a necessity in most jobs...at least computer savvy is...

Any suggestions for me to practice and learn to type without looking?

Gail

Prop a book up next to the keyboard and just start in. As you read it you type it letter for letter word for word. Practice is the key

 

[CPL]

I believe that I've been in a typing class ever since 5th or 6th (sometimes only for a semester) and always have hated it. They would always say that later it would help. Well now as a freshman and after about two or three 15+ page assignments I can say I'm glad I took the classes.

 

[chrisy]

took classes when I was younger and don't look at the keys. try the sentance....The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog..... no peeking it has all the letters of the alphabet in it. Once you can master that you are a fair way into typing without looking. Then get a book and just read and copy type as you go, it will come quite easy with practice.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

I took typing in the 8th grade. Practiced typing my mother's papers for her M.S.

In the Army, I was a Typing Instructor.

In college, I put myself through couple of years typing for others and consulting with others (including some teachers) on their term papers in my spare time. Back in 1960's could earn up to $15-20 an hour.

When I used an IBM Selectric, my speed was about 70-80 wpm. Once I got a computer, my "straight copy" speed kicked up to close to 100 wpm. I don't use spell checker since I'm a good speller...lol. Prepare all of our advertising copy, brochures, etc. on computer.

Typing is not a luxury anymore...it's a necessity in most jobs...at least computer savvy is...

Any suggestions for me to practice and learn to type without looking?

Gail

First line of defense: A Typing Course.

Second line: Get a Typing Book. Practice makes (almost) perfect.

Third: Shoot for accuracy first, then gradually build speed.

Fourth: Practice the alphabet. Each finger has "assigned" keys. e.g., "ASDFGHIHKJL;" ETC.

Fifth: Numbers and symbols are the hardest to learn in touch typing...don't lose any sleep over them...only typing a lot of numbers (i.e., statistical tables, etc.) will improve accuracy and speed with numbers.

Sixth: With lot of practice, experience your brain will "learn" that you're about to make an error BEFORE your finger hits a key...then you intercept the finger and aim for correct letter, symbol, etc.

Seventh: One "key" is to NOT look at your fingers when typing. In typing classes, the chart on the wall has the keyboard characters...YOUR typewriter has covers over YOUR keys...makes your brain connect to vision to fingers.

Finally...Keep practicing!!

:)

P.S.: Some individuals will never attain a high rate of speed...a lot to do with finger dexterity and fine-motor control. I have a suspicion that people who have played a "keyed" musical instrument or a piano or organ have a higher functional dexterity. Some other individuals "block out" typing behavior as something that is "beneath them" to do. I made a lot of money in college typing for students that either didn't know how to type or "were above doing" such menial tasks...lol. [Convenience stores were paying $1.85 to $2.50 an hour---I was making $15 to 20 an hour typing!]

 

[CKC1586]

took typing, shorthand, office practice etc. in school at Mom's insistence.

 

[cattleluvr18]

it was required to take typing back in 7th grade. i did good in it. im in a computer class again this year. but its not about typing. more like word processing and stuff. bout the only easy class i have this year.

but to answer your question, no, i dont usually look down. personally, i dont think its a big deal whether you do or not.

 

[Gale Seddon]

took typing, shorthand, office practice etc. in school at Mom's insistence.

CKC, good old Gregg Shorthand, a lost art! I learned it about 40 years ago, used it at work and all through college, and still use it at times. Is it still taught anywhere?

 

[4-H_Kid07]

I can I have to look at the keyboard once in a while... But other than that... I am good.

 

[bigbull338]

i use tje hunt an peck method.an i can do pretty good.an i just look at the keyboard.an make very few misstakes.

 

[backhoeboogie]

You hunt and peckers should have taken typing in High School. You got stuck in a room full of babes and your eyes were never on the keyboard. :lol: