In today’s digital age, almost every high school student is glued to a screen for hours a day—whether it’s for homework, social media, gaming or texting. But amid all this time spent typing, fewer students know how to actually type properly. With phones and tablets taking over the role of keyboards, the skill of typing has fallen into the background.
Kids today have grown up with technology at their fingertips, and touchscreens, voice commands and auto-correct have made it easier than ever to communicate without proper typing techniques. In fact, many students use their smartphones for almost everything—writing essays, sending emails and even researching. While these tools can be convenient, they come at the cost of the skill to type.
Unlike older generations, many students today don’t understand the importance of typing with all 10 fingers, maintaining proper posture, or even using the home row technique. As a result, speed and accuracy of typing suffer, and students often rely on methods where they type with just a few fingers, looking at the keyboard the whole time.
This lack of proper typing skills may seem like a minor issue, but it can lead to bigger problems down the road. In today’s job market, typing is often a fundamental skill required for tasks like data entry, communication and content creation. If students don’t learn how to type quickly and efficiently, they may struggle to keep up in both academic and professional settings.
Moreover, poor typing can also impact academic performance. Writing essays, reports and projects requires not only ideas but also the ability to type quickly and accurately. A student who takes longer to write due to inefficient typing skills may find themselves running out of time on tests or assignments, affecting their grades and overall learning experience.
Just like students are taught math, science and reading, schools should offer structured typing programs that teach students proper techniques. These classes don’t have to be extensive or time-consuming. Even a few lessons on typing posture, hand positioning and keyboard shortcuts could make a world of difference.
Many schools used to offer typing classes with manual typewriters; however, they’ve been phased out in favor of other subjects. Bringing back these lessons could be crucial for preparing students for both their academic careers and future employment. By providing a structured, dedicated time for students to practice and master typing, schools can help students unlock greater efficiency and productivity because typing is a learnable skill for all.
