Flash Cards
Do you want to improve your typing speed and accuracy?

You've mastered the basic keystrokes, but there is only so much repetition before you go crazy. No matter how hard you try, you just can't type as fast as a professional. Why not? Do you know what's wrong?

First, you need a lot of practice. Hence, Nimble Fingers offers numerous interesting keyboarding exercises so you can build speed and accuracy. The key is to make learning interesting.

But wait, there is more. Nimble Fingers also contains "Flash Cards" which develop motor reflex and response patterns. When you initially learned how to read, you had to spell out the individual letters before you could say the word. In "Flash Cards" you learn how to say the word and type the word as a whole.

Complicated? NO! Suppose you were reading the word "if." Instead of concentrating on the individual letters "i" and "f", read the word "if" and type the whole word "if".

You can develop extremely fast typing skills by using Flash Cards. Look at the two letter list flashing to the right. Say the word, think the word, and type the word. When you say the word that is flashing, can't you feel how quickly you will be able to "train your fingers" to type the word as soon as you see it?
It will not take you long to master the two letter words. Now, look at the three letter list of common words. Say the word, think the word, and type the word.
You will quickly learn to type three letter words. Then you are ready to tackle four letter words. Read these common four letter words. Say the word, think the word, and type the word.
Then, Flash Cards will introduce you to common word phrases. Say the phrase, think the phrase, and type the phrase.

Home

Typing Tips

Take care with when typing the home row keys. The home row exercises are simple and you might be tempted to skip them. However these are very important exercises because you are beginning to train your fingers in the correct keystroke reaches.

More practice? If you feel you need more practice on the home-row keys, or for that matter, any exercise, type the exercise again. The computer is a patient but demanding teacher. Practice each exercise several times until you are satisfied with your typing skills. Only go to the next exercise in a series when you feel comfortable with the exercise you have just completed.

Type without looking at the keys. Use a quick stroke to strike and bounce off the keys. Think in terms of “snapping” your fingers quickly downward on the keys. Do not “press” or “mush” the key. Strike the key quickly and move on!

Sit erect. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Poor posture is tiring and leads to typing errors.

Avoid eyestrain. Eyestrain can occur when there is a reflection on the computer monitor. Adjust the angle of the monitor and/or the height of your chair to reduce reflections. The room should be slightly “dark” with not major rays of sunlight. Squinting is very fatiguing. Monitor shields, or even monitor screens might be of some help, but most relief occurs when you can eliminate background glare.

Move only the fingers needed.Remember this! Move only the finger needed when striking a key. Do not allow other fingers to wander away from their assigned home-row keys. This will be awkward at first, and will require will-power. But you can do it! Let your brain train your fingers.

Error reduction. If errors are occurring on the bottom-row keys, try moving your chair back from the keyboard.

Use the correct finger-keystroke.Study the pictures in the NimbleFingers keyboarding program so you know which finger to use. Whisper each letter before striking the key.

Check your hands! Your fingers should be on the home-row keys and your hands should slant upward at the same slant as the keyboard. Do not let your wrists become lazy and rest against the desk or the keyboard.

Re-key an exercise if you are not satisfied. After typing the beginning exercises, using the correct finger should be automatic. If you still have to look at the keyboard when you type a particular key, rerun the appropriate exercise.

Make adjustments. Check your distance from the keyboard. Adjust your chair when necessary to avoid a common problem – that of sitting too close to the keyboard. Also, adjust the angle of your monitor to minimize glare. Eyestrain is very tiring and will result in an increased number of errors. Remove excessive paperwork, and don’t let direct sunlight in from windows that will result in screen glare.

Headaches? When is the last time you have had your vision checked by a health care professional? If you don’t know, it may be time for a vision check.

Errors will occur. When a typing error is made, retype the key immediately! Don’t think about it, your brain knows it didn’t communicate correctly with your finger. Just retype the key and move on!