Project 2

1. Project 2

1.5. Page 2

Information Processing 2020

Project 2: Learning the Numeric Keypad

Exercises to Increase Speed

If you are a beginning typist, you may find that some of your fingers are not as strong as others. For example, it is common for a beginning typist to strike the S key instead of the A key because the little finger is not used as often in daily activities and does not have the strength that other fingers have.

By moving your fingers and tapping them as if you were typing in random order, you will strengthen all of your fingers. This will also allow your fingers to move faster.

Many proficient (fast) typists say that when they were learning to type, they would envision the keys in their mind and pretend they were typing words by just moving their fingers in the air. (This is a good exercise for accuracy also.)

Following are several other activities to strengthen your fingers and hands.

a photograph showing a hand open with fingers curled in

Fingertip Curl

Slowly bend the finger tips of both hands inward without closing them into a fist. Your fingertips should touch the palm of your hand. Hold this position for a few seconds; then slowly straighten your fingers to relax the muscles. After a few seconds, bend your fingers again. Do this several times.

a photograph of a hand with fingers spread as far as possible

¬© Helder Almeida/shutterstock

Five-Finger Stretch

Extend the fingers of both hands, and spread them as far as possible. Hold this position for several seconds; then relax your fingers, allowing them to curl lightly into the palm of your hand. Repeat these movements slowly several times.

Two photos are shown. The first photo shows a hand with fingers spread as wide as possible. The second photo shows a hand with a fist clenched tightly.

open hand: © Helder Almeida/shutterstock
fist: © Tatiana Popova/shutterstock

Fist Clench

Extend the fingers of both hands and spread them as far as possible. Hold this position for several seconds; then curl your fingers into a tight fist with your thumbs pressed firmly on the top. Squeeze your fists tightly for several seconds; then relax the muscles and slowly straighten the fingers. Repeat these movements several times.

a photograph of two hands firmly pressed together with fingers interlaced

Interlocking Finger Squeeze

Interlace the fingers of both hands. Wring your hands back and forth while holding the heels of your palms firmly against each other. Do this for several seconds.

a photograph of the thumb and index finger of one hand spreading two fingers on the other hand as much as possible

Two-Finger Stretch

Hold your hands in front of you with your fingers extended and held close together. While holding the middle, ring, and little fingers together, move the index finger as far away from the others as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds; then allow your index finger to return to its position next to the middle finger. Then while holding the index and middle finger together, move them as far away as possible from the other two fingers. Hold this position for a few seconds; then allow your fingers to return to their normal position. Finally, move the little finger as far away as possible from the other three.