What is Touch Typing?

Surprisingly, while the first typewriter was invented in the 1800s, many still have not mastered touch typing. We know that it helps us to work efficiently, but why does it seem so hard? Perhaps we must start by answering first, what is touch typing?

In this blog, we will also discuss why it is essential to learn touch typing and how to touch type and introduce you to a list of resources for touch typing practice.

What is Touch Typing?

Touch typing is a method where you use your sense of touch through your 10 fingers to find and hit the right keys rather than looking at the keyboard. This method, when mastered, can be faster and more accurate than looking down at the keys, finding them by sight, and ensuring your entries on your screen are correct. 

The Science of Touch Typing

In touch typing, muscle memory is involved, which is triggered and developed in the cerebellum (part of the brain). Christopher Bergland, a retired ultra-endurance athlete, and a science writer wrote a blog in Psychology Today suggesting that touch typing involves the four hemispheres of the brain. 

He said that in most right-handed people, the right cerebellar hemisphere activates together with the left hemisphere to regulate language functions. But left-handed people would use more of the left cerebellar hemisphere when writing by hand. However, he pointed out that all four hemispheres are equally activated and utilized when touch typing. 

The same hemisphere engagement happens with ambidextrous people - those who can use both their left and right hand when writing by hand. When all the cerebellar hemispheres are engaged, the brain functions are optimized. Learn more about this in Christopher Bergland's blog post. 

Now that we have answered the question, ' what is touch typing? ', let us now talk about the benefits of touch typing. 

Why is Touch Typing an Essential Skill? 

Improved work productivity and efficiency

A touch typist can accomplish more work in a shorter time than a hunt-and-peck typist. Only a few fingers are used in hunt-and-peck typing; thus, there is an absence of proper positioning of the hands, compromising their typing speed and accuracy. 

Lesser risk of injuries

The improper position of fingers/hands of a hunt-and-peck typist can cause neck problems and wrist injuries. Moreover, you are more likely to experience fatigue and easily strain your eyes from looking at the screen and the keyboard back and forth. 

Optimized brain functions

As mentioned above, your brain functions are more optimized when touch typing. It also enables you to focus better on the quality of your writing since you don't have to worry about committing many errors when typing. And because in this digital age, most jobs involve computers, touch typing can give you the leverage you need to perform well.  

Helpful for differently abled people

Touch typing also favors those with disabilities, such as the blind or visually impaired, and those with motor skills problems, who find writing by hand painful and difficult. 

How to Type Without Looking at the Keyboard

Position fingers in the Home Row

Touch typing follows a specific finger position called Home Row, where you must touch the keys F and J with your index fingers. The home row will always be your starting point. Bumps in those keys will help you quickly identify them, even with your eyes closed. The rest of your right fingers should touch the keys A (pinky), S (ring finger), and D (middle finger). Then the rest of your left fingers should touch the keys semi-colon (pinky), L (ring finger), and K (middle finger). Use either your left or right thumb to hit the space bar. 

Movement of fingers

The movement of your fingers from the home row is somewhat mostly vertical, except for your index and little fingers. To easily remember, think of the keys that each of your fingers should only be touching. See the touch typing finger placement chart below.

Maintain the right posture

Posture is also important in touch typing. Back problems are common among those who have office jobs; it is called a repetitive strain injury (RSI). Besides the long hours of sitting, poor typing habits can affect your posture. Hunt and peck typists often hunch their upper backs (and neck) because they must repeatedly look at the keyboard. A straight posture, a proper elbow angle (90-110 degrees), and a screen fixed at eye level will encourage you, if not force you, to touch type since you will have to rely more on your sense of touch (fingers).

Aim for accuracy first

Aim for accuracy first until your muscle memory allows you to type faster. Now, this will require your patience and consistency. Set a realistic goal to daily practice touch typing. Avoid looking at the keyboard as tempting as it can get.

You can learn more about how to touch type at the Typing Club website.

Where Can You Practice Touch Typing?

Several free websites offer a variety of customizable features beneficial to you as a beginner. One of the most popular is the 10 Fast Fingers because there are 54 languages available for touch typing practice. 

Check out our list of Top 7 Free Typing Test Websites 2022 to help you decide which is the best site for you to learn the touch typing system. 

There are also free typing websites with games to play, compete in, and connect with the typing community. You will never be bored with learning touch typing with our list of 5 best typing games online in 2022. 

Conclusion

What is touch typing? Touch typing requires you to use your 10 fingers, relying more on your sense of touch than your sense of sight when using the keyboard. Touch typing is an essential skill with many benefits:

◾ Improved work productivity and efficiency

◾ Better brain functions

◾ Improved focus

◾ Lesser risk for neck, back, and wrist injuries. 

◾ Improved quality of work

◾ Help differently-abled individuals with visual and motor problems 

Remember to follow the correct finger position starting with the home row when touch typing. Be mindful of your posture when typing. Lastly, be patient and aim for accuracy first before speed when practicing.

We would love to learn about your experience in touch typing. Feel free to comment and share your insights.