Typing Games.

		I'll make you a bet on this typing game. I'll bet you can't count the number of F's in a short sentence.
		Read this sentence: FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE- SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF- IC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. Count the F's in that sentence. Count only once, don't go back a 2nd time. Now scroll down. Take your time, but only count once. ANSWER: There are six F's in the sentence. A person of average intelligence will find three of them. If you found four F's, you are above average. If you found five F's, you are very good. If you found all six F's, you are a genius. There is no "magic" trick to this. Many people forget the OF's. The human brain tends to see them as V's and not F's.

Learning to type is not magic. The magic, if there is any, is in learning how to concentrate. Once you master the ability to focus on a specific task, and not let your mind wander, you can learn whatever you wish.

Ideas to help you concentrate.

Focus on the topic at hand.

Ignore everything else.

Repeat key ideas or phrases to yourself.

Summarize "What did I learn" or "What should I do?"

Click on the The Little Professor for another chance.
If you concentrate, I can teach you how to type!

The Little Professor

Typing Games - Now Typing Hints.

Take care with when keying 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.

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 errors.

Avoid eyestrain. Eyestrain can occur when there is a reflection on the computer monitor. Adjust the angle of the monitor and the height of your chair to reduce reflections. The room should be slightly dark with no 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 eliminate background glare.

Move only the fingers needed. 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 glair.

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 an 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!