With many people’s responsibilities moving to digital formats, such as school or work, it highlights the necessity of learning how to type to create a more productive and effective digital environment.

During a regular school year, typing inefficiently does not cause much concern. At home, one could keep typing one key at a time with a single finger for the occasional online assignment and, in the classroom, one could handle all their work with a pen and paper. This year, with schools heavily relying on virtual platforms for safety reasons, not knowing how to properly type can slow students down.

Tasks such as timed writings, digital AP tests and in-class writing assignments demonstrate why typing has become of great importance to students this year. For testing, this skill can improve students’ scores. Normally only focused on what they have to write down on paper, now students have to worry about typos, typing fast enough within the given time and the actual test material. Those who already type like pros have an advantage over students who still peck at their keyboards.

Additionally, typing forms a very important part of the workforce. The accuracy and timeliness that proper typing provides can help one succeed in any career. Though not every career requires knowledge in typing, having the opportunity to put it down as a skill on one’s resume can help an applicant look more professional. 

Similarly to how students have to learn cursive in elementary school, I believe students should take mandatory courses on typing. Unlike cursive, people now use typing on a daily basis. Students would truly benefit in the long run if schools require students to take typing courses.

Overall, making typing courses mandatory seems beneficial. It creates a faster and more productive work ethic, allows students to focus on their actual work without worrying about the time they take pecking at keys and allows adults to look more professional at their jobs. In this digital era, one may compare knowing how to type to knowing how to write.