Writing is a critical 21st Century Skill and today, we have powerful
tools to help us write. While texting interfaces and
predictive word technology are great, they have their
limitations. Being able to comfortably, confidently and
competently write with a keyboard is a valuable skill. The
QWERTY keyboarding, the key arrangement sold with almost all
computers in the U.S., is not obsolete.
It will be with us for a long time to come.
Technology has existed for decades that will transcribe
speech-to-text, but these digital tools are rarely used.
The English language is complex and is not written the way it is
spoken. More importantly, even if I can talk and have it
transcribed to text, it is not ready to read.
Writing is a process of editing and revising.
The problem with speech-to-text is that we still have to edit
and revise speech-to-text for clarity and readability. To
efficiently do this, we need to be able to key our revisions.
The good news is: we can all learn to key and not have to
hunt-and-peck for each letter of each word in each sentence,
paragraph, and document we write.
This "keyboard tune-up" is designed to connect
my students with the best keyboarding tutorials and keying games
online. Everything here is FREE! Invest 15-20
minutes each day reviewing keyboard fingerings and the touch
method.
Once you learn to use "home row" and the
"touch method", then you can choose fun keying games to build
those skills. Keying games let you build skills
letter-by-letter, word-by-word, and then working with "chunks"
of text. As you get faster and more-accurate, you will be
amazed at how easy this becomes!
What is "Touch Typing"? Please watch
this short video to find out.
This page contains links to outside
sources. By clicking on a link, you will be leaving
myBusinessEd.com. The Mr.
B's Biz Ed Web is not responsible for any content housed or
published on those sites.
If you carefully practice correctly: sitting
up straight, feet flat on the floor(yes! it makes a
difference),fingers slightly curved,wrists
flat and off the table/desk, and fingertips on each hand resting
lightly on "home row"(asdf jkl;) you too can learn the "touch
method" and become an comfortable, accurate keyboarder.
Each of the links below contain a set of
keyboarding lessons that break this valuable skill down into
manageable chunks -- keep track of which sites and which of
their lessons you master. You can complete an entire
keyboarding review in a couple of weeks and you will feel the
difference -- and it feels great!
All The Touch Typing Tutors. This web
has a large set of links for freeware and shareware
keyboarding sites.
Alpha Free Typing Tutor. This site
provides step-by-step instruction to improve keyboarding
ability and also hosts lessons, games, and tests that score
wpm and accuracy.
ARTypist. Created to help students learn,
improve, and master keyboarding, this online tutor provides
10 lessons and games.
BellaOnline. How quickly can you type?
Take these free online typing tests to find out!
Dance Mat Typing. A quirky animated
course by British Broadcasting Corporation -- if you enjoy
talking goats and a playful interface, you will like this.
E-Learning for Kids.
This site has a space theme that makes it fun for kids to
practice their keyboarding skills. Games can be unlocked as
typists move on to higher levels.
Free Typing Game. This site has a free
set of interactive activities to learn the "touch method" of
keying. Learning to type has never been easier.
Glencoe's Online Keyboarding. These are
the folks that wrote the book -- typing books for
generations of keyers. These lessons will carefully help you
review and build skills.
GoodTyping. Learn how to type
correctly in just a few hours using all your fingers
Keyboard Tutorial & Typing Test. Great
site to review or learn keying. When you are ready, there is
a section to practice composing at the keyboard and then
practicing your text.
Laptop Typing Tutorial. This web links
to a complete set of tutorials, drills, games, lessons, and
diagrams to improve typing skills.
Learn 2 Type. A complete tutorial that
begins by demonstrating hand position & technique. Not sure
where to start? Use theirtimed
typing teststo see how ready you are.
While not required, you can create an account to help you
keep track of your progress each time you log-in.
Learn Keyboard Typing. Great site -- 13
online lessons -- you will move through them quickly. This
site is great for a typing "tune-up".
Learn to Type at the Speed of Thought! Here's
a valuable site that tutors you to key as fast as you
imagine the text you want to write. This is a more
authentic skill than typing drills from straight-copy.
Learn to Type Online. This course has 5
lessons to introduce keys -- maybe too fast for a beginner
(but maybe not). This site is a great review for those
needed a "tune-up".
Peters Online Typing Course. A
comprehensives and well-done program. This one will work for
you if you work it.
PowerTyping. Choose QWERTY (standard)
or Dvorak keyboard and rev your keyboardin' engine!
Speed Typing Online. Even if you have
learned the basics, try this website's quick "tune-up". You
can be a speed-typist too.
Typing Club. Begin with home row and then add 2 keys per
lesson -- very managable and effective.
Typing Lessons. This site does a
fantastic job of breaking the keyboard into short, simple
lessons. Highly recommended, especially for those just
getting started.
Typing Play. Have fun while you learn
to key. There are links to learn the "touch method" of
keyboarding and then lessons to have fun practicing.
Typing Test Online. Use this site to
check your progress -- watch your skills grow.
Touch Typing Online. If other online
programs add new keys too fast, try this one -- it carefully
breaks your practice into manageable groups.
Typing Course Online. Choose your
style of lessons: letter-by-letter, copy text, create your
own text.
Typing Web. A free set of online lessons that
require you to set up a no-charge account.
This page contains links to outside
sources. By clicking on a link, you will be leaving
myBusinessEd.com. The Mr.
B's Biz Ed Web is not responsible for any content housed or
published on those sites.
Keyboard Ninja: While you can
create a free account to save your progress, Mr. B suggests
not having any website track what we do online -- your
choice though
Trick or Type: Halloween-themed fun.
The ghosts want candy. Key words to drop treats into their
bag
Toodle: Use your keyboard to type in the sentences
Touch Typing Study: Are
you still typing with two fingers? Do you still need to look
at your keyboard before every keystroke?
Type A Balloon: Choose difficluty
and keyboard letters. Mr. B suggests not setting up a
free account and having this website track what you do --
your choice