In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, typing has become the preferred method of written communication for many people.
It’s faster than writing by hand, and it allows you to easily edit and format your document.
But did you know that there are also some significant cognitive benefits to typing over writing by hand?
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Write fast
Fingertips are nimble.
The average person can type about 40 words per minute, but they can only write about 20 words per minute by hand.
This difference in speed is due in part to the dexterity of our fingers; we can move them much more quickly than we can move a pen or pencil.
Increased speed can be a huge advantage when taking notes or trying to capture our thoughts before they disappear.
2. Develops the habit of thinking
The act of typing also forces us to slow down and think about what we’re saying.
Unlike speaking, which is relatively effortless, typing requires us to carefully select each word and construct each sentence.
It slows down the thinking process and encourages us to be more thoughtful and deliberate in our communication.
In turn, this can lead to improved clarity and precision in our writing.
3. Revise and edit easily
Typing gives us the ability to easily revise and edit our work.
We can move sentences around, delete paragraphs that don’t belong and add new sections with just a few clicks of the mouse.
4. Access to spell check and grammar check
Most word processing programs come with built-in spell check and grammar check features.
These features can be a huge help in ensuring that our documents are free of errors.
5. Type anywhere
With a laptop, we can type anywhere we have an internet connection.
We can work from coffee shops, libraries, and even on the go.
Handwriting, on the other hand, is much more constrained.
We need a flat surface to write on and enough light to see what we’re doing.
6. Share documents easily
Typed documents can be easily shared with others via email or social media.
We can also post them online for the world to see.
Handwritten documents, on the other hand, are much more difficult to share.
We would need to either scan them or transcribe them into a typed format before anyone else could read them.
7. Store documents electronically
Documents that are typed can be easily stored electronically.
We can access them quickly and easily, and they take up very little physical space.
Handwritten documents, on the other hand, need to be stored in a physical location.
It can be difficult to keep track of them and harder to access when we need them.
8. Create professional-looking documents
Typed documents can be easily formatted to look professional and polished.
We can add images, change the font, and adjust the margins with just a few clicks.
Handwritten documents are much more difficult to format in a way that looks professional.
9. Typing is becoming the new standard
In today’s world, typing is the new standard.
More and more people are communicating via email and social media, and typed documents are much easier to read than handwritten ones.
Those who can type well will have a significant advantage.
10. It’s easier to find a job if you can type
These days, many jobs require the ability to type.
Whether we’re applying for a position as a secretary, a receptionist, or even a customer service representative, being able to type quickly and accurately is often a requirement.
It is possible that those who can’t type well may have a harder time finding a job.
11. Typing can be therapeutic
For some people, typing can be a form of therapy.
It can be a way to express our thoughts and feelings without having to speak them out loud.
This can be beneficial for those who struggle with anxiety or shyness.
12. It’s a skill that will always be in demand
Typing is a skill that will always be in demand.
As more and more businesses move online, the need for those who can type quickly and accurately will only increase.
Conclusion
Typing has many advantages over handwriting.
It’s faster, easier to read, and can be done anywhere we have an internet connection.
It has also become the new standard for communication, which means that those who can’t type well may have a harder time finding a job.
For these reasons and more, learning how to type is a wise decision.