Most efficient method for learning to touchtype?

[StringJunky]

I've been a two-finger 'sight-typer' for years and I want to learn touchtyping. What worked for you? Links would be good.

[fiveworlds]

Honestly I learned to type playing video games on my computer twenty years ago.

[Danijel Gorupec]

I learned it many years ago - I remember I downloaded a typing tutor software (there were many - this particular one was called "ten thumbs typing tutor" and I liked it, but I am not sure if it exists any more). Learning touch type proved much fun.

 

- The software had options to learn only basic keyboard (letters and numbers) or whole keyboard (special characters like #, $, %, &...). I choose the first one and I made mistake because I learned later that as a programmer I need special characters very often. Even today, typing special characters interrupts my typing fluidity.

- Concentrate to decrease mistakes, not to increase speed. You will see this advice everywhere... I underestimated it and even today I have to use backspace way too often.

- Do not look at the keyboard, but look at the screen. Also the most common advice. Fortunately I followed this one.

- Expect that your typing speed will decrease at first. This might be a problem because you might want to finish an important work quickly and decide to temporally revert to your old way of typing. This will set you back for days, imo.

[Klaynos]

The touch typing programmes are probably the fastest way. It's how I learnt several years ago.

 

You can probably achieve a good standard in quite quick timebwith regular (daily) practice.

[StringJunky]

I learned it many years ago - I remember I downloaded a typing tutor software (there were many - this particular one was called "ten thumbs typing tutor" and I liked it, but I am not sure if it exists any more). Learning touch type proved much fun.

 

- The software had options to learn only basic keyboard (letters and numbers) or whole keyboard (special characters like #, $, %, &...). I choose the first one and I made mistake because I learned later that as a programmer I need special characters very often. Even today, typing special characters interrupts my typing fluidity.

- Concentrate to decrease mistakes, not to increase speed. You will see this advice everywhere... I underestimated it and even today I have to use backspace way too often.

- Do not look at the keyboard, but look at the screen. Also the most common advice. Fortunately I followed this one.

- Expect that your typing speed will decrease at first. This might be a problem because you might want to finish an important work quickly and decide to temporally revert to your old way of typing. This will set you back for days, imo.

Thanks for the advice; will heed.

 

Any other words of wisdom will be much appreciated.

 

 

The touch typing programmes are probably the fastest way. It's how I learnt several years ago.

 

You can probably achieve a good standard in quite quick timebwith regular (daily) practice.

I'm trying TIPP 10 for now.

 

The hardest part will be when I'm doing RL typing, like on here whilst learning; forcing myself to stay in learning mode which will be really slow and frustrating to start. Not sure how to deal with this because I don't know where all the letters are on the upper and lower row without looking atm; the home row I'm familiar with blind and know the fingering as well.

Edited July 3, 2016 by StringJunky

[Klaynos]

One trick we used was covering the keyboard so you had no choice but to ignore your hands. I suspect you might know better than you think you do given the time you've spent doing 2 finger typing.

[StringJunky]

One trick we used was covering the keyboard so you had no choice but to ignore your hands. I suspect you might know better than you think you do given the time you've spent doing 2 finger typing.

I will put tape pieces over all the letter keys. That's got to be worth a go. Thanks. There's actually an expensive one you can buy with no printed keys that I remember seeing;

 

http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/

 

I can see a lot of F--K, S--T D---, B------D emanating from me in the coming days.

 

Any more practical tips like that or approaches will be taken onboard.

 

Keyboard covered:

 

 

 

,

Edited July 3, 2016 by StringJunky

[Sensei]

I've been a two-finger 'sight-typer' for years and I want to learn touchtyping.

Apparently you don't type much every single day.

 

I am writing probably 1000 times more than speaking in the real world,

so have problems expressing myself while talking in the real world.

I would faster write something on the computer screen, than talk.

 

What worked for you?

30 years of experience..

[Endy0816]

Can also practice via air typing. ABC's, The quick brown fox, etc.

 

One trick we used was covering the keyboard so you had no choice but to ignore your hands. I suspect you might know better than you think you do given the time you've spent doing 2 finger typing.

 

Same here with a cardboard box.