Tips, Tricks and Tutorial

Showing posts with label typing tutor. Show all posts

Tuesday

New Typing Game Makes Typing Fun in KeyBlaze

Everyone has a slightly different learning style, but learning by doing is one of the most effective ways to ingrain something in your memory. As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect," but there are some things that just aren't any fun to practice. Touch typing has the potential to be one of those tedious task, but we have been working to keep KeyBlaze typing tutor software out of the realm of typing tedium by making it a fun way to learn the vital skill of touch typing.

One of fun ways KeyBlaze does recognizes accomplishments is by awarding certificates as you test your typing speed and accuracy throughout the lesson structure. Another, that we recently added, is the addition of a typing game where words fall down the screen like rain drops. You have to type the words correctly to prevent them from hitting the pavement, bringing the competitive edge to touch typing practice by providing a challenge in the heat of the moment while you try to outdo your high score. So whether you have kids who need to learn to type or you want to improve your own typing skills, take a look at KeyBlaze for more than just typing lessons, but a fun way to practice and learn how to type.

Learn 10-Key with KeyBlaze

You are probably already aware of the importance of knowing how to touch type, but did you stop with the QWERTY portion of the keyboard? From data entry to math calculations, there are many professions where it is also very useful to be well-versed in using the number pad, or 10-key typing. Similar to touch typing, the benefits of practice and proficiency include increased speed, efficiency and accuracy, which can make tasks like entering data into a spreadsheets both faster and less painful.

Especially in data entry occupations, acquiring superior 10-key skills will result in higher paychecks. Many employers expect you to have a minimum of 8000-10000 keystrokes per hour (KPH) with 100% accuracy, while experienced clerks tout average speeds around 15000 KPH and above. Practicing 10-key on a computer program will also translate to increased skills on an adding machine, though there are some notable differences. KeyBlaze Typing Tutor has lessons for 10-key typing, in addition to touch typing, so that you can practice and improve your skills in both areas. So whether you are trying to improve your words per minute or keystrokes per hour, KeyBlaze is all you need.

Practice Typing from Audio Dictation

Practice transcription audio added to KeyBlaze typing tutor

Last year we added a great resource for transcriptionists in training by posting several practice transcription audio files for use with Express Scribe transcription software so you could practice typing and using your foot pedal or hotkeys to control the audio with sample dictations that were provided to us by Accuro Transcription Services.

To add another tier of options to practicing typing from audio or dictation files, we have now also added several audio samples as dictation exercises in another NCH typing software, KeyBlaze typing tutor (version 1.22). This new addition allows you to listen to a dictation file and practice typing along. You can pause the recording at any time and compare your typing to the completed transcription side-by-side, so you can check for formatting, spelling, and other elements inherent to the dictation process. So, if you are looking for training to be a transcriptionist or know someone who is, you'll want to try KeyBlaze for practice transcription and typing from audio files.

Learn or Improve Your Typing Skills with Award Winning Typing Tutor Software

We are very grateful that the editors at CNET recently took the time to review NCH Software's KeyBlaze Typing Tutor Software. They wrote a very nice review and awarded our free learn to type software with a full 5 out of 5 stars, saying:

"KeyBlaze Free Typing Tutor from NCH Software can help you learn touch-typing or practice your skills. It offers basic lessons, drills, and speed tests suitable for typists ranging from absolute beginners to keyboard jockeys. It's easy to use and effective, too. KeyBlaze is great for beginners, and has more to offer to those who already know how to type. The lessons are easy to understand, getting progressively more difficult to master, and effective, with immediate feedback that helps users quickly overcome bad habits."

– CNET

You can read the complete review of KeyBlaze Typing Tutor on download.com, or download it now to start improving your typing skills right away.

KeyBlaze a Trail to Finesse (and Fitness)*

Here's a fun fact: The average WPM (words per minute) typed by the average American computer user is 19. 19! To put that into perspective, the last sentence you just read had 19 words and would've taken the average computer user a full 60 seconds to type. More and more, typing has becoming a commonplace part of the daily grind, whether you're typing an email or chatting with friends and knowing not just how to type, but how to type correctly, can help you succeed in more places than than the workplace - it might also help you work off those love handles!

Wait...what?

We all realize that sitting in front of a computer all day isn't an optimal position to be in for 8-12 hours straight. This gets a lot of flak from the health community in particular, having brainwashed us all into believing that we're all typing and clicking our way to inactivity and poor posture. But did you know that typing for 8 hours can burn over 800 calories? That's over 100 calories an hour and, depending on your size, age and BMI, may be a good chunk of your daily calorie intake! While you push papers for the man, you may already be working toward to a slimmer, sexier you!

Now, I'm not seriously suggesting you include typing as part of your daily exercise routine, and the catch concerning the aforementioned 800 number is that only the fastest typists can hit such a high mark. But like we've already covered, most people peck at keyboards, bastardizing what is already an archaic input method. The good news is whether you're 18 or 80, it's never too late to turn over a new leaf and learn the subtle nuances of typing correctly. If you're ready to accept the inevitable importance of learning to type, KeyBlaze typing tutor from NCH Software can help you improve typing accuracy and speed. It's straight-forward, easy-to-understand and best of all, free! You may even turn your typing into an art form and resolve to become a typist for a living in which case, we have software for that, too!

*Typing is not a viable source of daily activity. Please practice proper exercise and diet routines to experience real weight loss and health benefits.

The Key to Success: Touch Typing

Knowing how to touch type is a basic necessity for children growing up in the information age. It is no longer practical for children to go through high school, let alone college, using the "hunt and peck" method of typing. It's important for children to learn how to touch type at a young age before bad habits become engrained.

Benefits of touch typing

The benefits of knowing how to touch type include being able to edit on the fly, transcribe from a written document or from word of mouth, and increased typing speed. Knowing how to touch type can more than double your typed words-per-minute speed, going from an average of 30 wpm to upwards of 80 wpm. Imagine how much faster homework and other typing activities can be done just by having better typing skills.

Even though typing is so important, touch typing isn't always taught in schools simply because there just isn't enough time to squeeze it into the curriculum. Other times, even when typing is taught, it is taught after children have adopted the "hunt and peck" method, a habit that dies hard.

When should you learn how to touch type?

Most schools begin to teach typing skills during the 4th grade, but kids today are exposed to computers younger and younger ages. With this trend continuing, learning to touch type at early age is becoming more important than ever before, and more parents looking into typing tutor software to teach their kids how to type at home.

Learning to type is essential for all kids growing up today, but it can also be beneficial to adults as well. If parents become interested in touch typing, children are more likely to be interested. Additionally, adults who work to develop their typing skills can expect to see improved work productivity, and potentially more job opportunities.

More resources and information information on learning to touch type: