We all use keyboard while working with computers, but has anyone wondered if there is a right way to go about it? Most of us learn to type or use the keyboard through self-learning — see where a key is and press it, simple!

But if this practice is continued in the long run, it becomes a habit and ultimately we always have to take a look at keyboard while typing and using our index fingers only. The right way to type, however, is to have all four fingers placed at the middle row (home row), and thumbs at space bar with eyes looking at the monitor. Now take a look around and see how many of your peers and even grown-ups can achieve that — not many it turns out! But if you want to be someone who 'can' do it, then follow some of the tips discussed here and you will be able to amaze your friends and family with your new found keyboard expertise!

learn2type.com

Start off with typing test straight away, without registration, by clicking the Typing Test link. An exercise box appears with a text box below. Type the sample text and press 'Test Me!' button.

The test results are displayed comparing actual vs. typed text, with errors marked in red. At the bottom, speed and accuracy scores are shown, inviting the user to register and continue practice. The site claims to have a user base of 4.5 million.

Freetypinggame.net

This site offers games, lessons and tests. Typing lessons can be taken from an initial level focusing on any two keys available in the list. Select a lesson and press 'Start Lesson' in Lessons tab followed by pressing 'Start' button presented in the next screen.

Here, keyboard is displayed and the key to be pressed blinks over screen along with finger placement instructions. After practising individual key combinations, you may use the 'Test' tab and select one depending upon what part of keyboard is to be practised more. Available options allow emphasis on left or right hand, home row, numbers or take a classic tale test along with duration choice ranging from one to five minutes.

Other resources

Other interesting sites that offer free online typing lessons include typing-lessons.org, powertyping.com and bbc.co.uk/schools/typing. This third one has a cool interface called Dance Mat Typing with four levels to choose from. The aim is to become 'top typist' by completing 12 stages in one of the most graphically appealing typing tutors available online.

How to make use of online typing tutors?

Remember, using both hands while typing is not just about speed. Gone are the days when speed used to matter, as with modern aids such as spell check, grammar check even accuracy can be taken care of easily. The target should be to have a relaxed control over keyboard where you do not have to 'look for' keys — freeing your mind and enabling you can concentrate on thought process without distractions. Looking at the monitor while typing also means easy detection and correction of type-errors or instant spell correction along with an obvious advantage of doing something right without straining just two or three fingers. So even a moderate speed (around 20 wpm) would do as long as you type with high accuracy.

At the beginners' level, focussing on pressing correct key should automatically result in speed gain as key positions get registered in the mind and are recalled almost effortlessly while typing within few weeks of practice. The good thing about taking typing lessons and tests is that the results are instant and quantifiable. Note down your accuracy and speed when you start and monitor it weekly. You will see significant improvement within a month even with a workout of 10 to 15 minutes per day regularly. Yes, it's tempting to look at the keyboard to get higher scores (as typing tutor can't determine where you are looking) but exercise self-control to be a true touch typist!