Improving typing skills

[Ranger337]

I just wanted to ask the dispatchers if you had any advise on a program on improving typing skills. Right now I type approx. 20 WPM with about a 80% accuracy. I know that this is way under the requirements for dispatchers. I know how to type but have a little difficulty with my accuracy, that is what slows me down.

Thanking you in advance,
Ranger337

[MrJim911]

The agency I work for didn't require a certain "WPM". (But most do!) But I did take a typing test for what reason I'm still not sure to this day. I'll assume you have some sort of computer since you posted here :) so that is an excellent tool in and of itself. I've been typing since I was in 8th grade so I never used a "typing program" and am not familiar with any. But I don't think those are necessary. (waste of money) If you have word perfect or any other type of program like that one, just grab a book and start copying the book into the computer. Familiarity will breed accuracy and speed. Both come at the same time. And I can honestly say that WHEN you get hired as a dispatcher the job will improve speed and accuracy 200%.... So just start typing anything into the ole' puter... Start a journal or copy books or join a chat club or get in on actual real time chats like Yahoo.... All these will help!!! Good Luck!!!

[F/FtoDispatcher]

:bounce:
I used Mavis Beacon, it's a good program and is reasonably priced. Have you also thought about taking a course at your local JC. I took a typing and computer keyboarding class at my JC. I went from not being able to typing 30 wpm in less than 2 months.


Good luck

Joe

[Ranger337]

Thank you MrJim, and FTODispatcher for your advise.

Ranger337

[DispNowCopL8r]

For our department, and most of the general area, it's 35 wpm. I had the normal anxiety, before the test, and downloaded a couple of free shareware computer programs. The best advise I could probably offer that helped me the most, was learn the "home row" where it is natual for your hands and fingers to sit, and pratice, letting your fingers memorize where the letters are. It's suprising how quickly I can type out my name, and common phrases now, like gun, knife, shooting, etc. Once you get the basics down w/o many errors, time and speed come naturally. I was testing at home on the shareware programs at 35, when I took my test I hit 45, and now I tested myself the other day at home, and I'm about 90...so yes it does improve over time.
Hope this helps.

[Ky911]

We do not have a typing test at our dept. If we did we wouldnt have any workers. Most of us are 2 finger to 4 finger typers. We can keep up with the high volumn of calls and officers so they really do not seem to care wether we type properly as long as our job is done properly. I think these departments who have typing requirement should think again, they are missing or passing by some of the best dispatchers. This job does not require typing skills, its all repitition, we do the same movements over and over, so no typing skills are required

Velvet Brooks
Christian County EOC

[Lupey]

No typing test here either. All the screens we use are just repetitive. I do type with both hands and am probably about 40+ a min. Though our system is so old and slow that most of use here can have it filled in before the screen comes up. It remembers your key strokes so you can start typing before the screen even comes up.

[sittingduck]

I have been improving my typing skills at this site http://www.selftestonline.com/pages/tests/keyboard/index.php It rates you on speed and accuracy when you are done and even offers a printable certificate! Cool huh! 10-key tests are available too.... ;)

[kennethm3]

As was stated above get Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. You can find it at OfficeMax pretty cheap. It works very well and takes up little room on your hard drive. The way I type I should buy another copy! It is loaded with drills and will give you time and errors for each exercise. Good Luck.

[KYEMT325]

There's no typing requirement at my department either. But, I have found that the best way I learned how to type was 1) college...and 2) America Online. When you talk to people day in and day out for years, you get the typing skills. When I was in HS, I was struggling to get 30 WPM in my typing class...but after 4 years of college and a lot of online "chatting", I am at about 65-75 WPM now with 99% accuracy, so practice really does make perfect. Like DispNowCopL8r said, be sure to learn your home row and where your keys are in relation to your fingers, then you won't have a problem at all as long as you practice, practice, practice.

Shane

[ladymoonlite]

I like Mavis Beacon - but another great way to improve your typing skills is chat rooms! Try MSN chat, for instance, find a room subject that interests you, and get involved in a conversation. Again, as MrJim said, it's just that familiarity will breed accuracy and speed.

I always wonder, though, why some agencies still do "typing" tests, since CAD input is seldom letter style. Computer keyboarding makes much more sense. We now use a program directed at Public Safety Communications hiring, called CritiCall, for testing.

[MrJim911]

I can type about 85-95 wpm. But ladymoon brings up a interesting point. Very little of CAD entry is free form entry. Usually it's typing codes and using keystrokes to execute a command or change screens. Not to mention using a mouse you just go to different drop down menus. I've seen people that can hit keystrokes really fast and use a mouse quick, but when it comes to free form entries like narratives they are slow.

Plus when your doing a typing test your usually copying something while reading it. If I had to take a typing test like that I would be really slow. I prefer to open up a blank WordPerfect document and set my watch for a minute, then just start typing a short story. When the watch beeps I stop typing and I do a word count. That's the way we are receiving info over the phone or radio anyway right? We are typing as we hear stuff. I type as I come up with a quick short story in my head. Seems to me this would be more accurate for our line of work. If I'm copying something off the screen/paper I'm probably more along the speed of 60-70wpm.

[Ky911]

I wouldnt know if it is under requirement, our dept doesnt require a typing test