eText Method

Accelerated Learning Principles

The eText Method is based on practical principles of modern learning psychology. You do not have to know about the Method to use the Software, but you may find it interesting, especially if you intend to be a typeSmart Facilitator, teacher or human resources professional.

The eText Method implemented by typeSmart uses these Accelerated Learning principles:

• Encourages people to be in a relaxed, but focused state of mind.
• Uses a combination of visual, auditory and physical presentation.
• Encourages people to use the full range of their individual learning strengths and thinking skills.

The principles are applied in the following ways.

Anchoring and the Space Bar

TypeSmart uses the space bar for anchoring. The space bar is the perfect anchor for the mind and hands, as:

_spaces_are_between_nearly_every_word

Using the spacebar as an anchor is similar to finding middle-C on the piano, except that the space bar is the largest and easiest key to find on the computer keyboard!

 

The eText Method does not use the Home Keys Technique of traditional typing.

Mind-mapping and Key-Finger Groups

Most of us store and retrieve information by networks of inter-linking ideas. This is known as ‘mind-mapping’.

The TypeSmart ‘mind-map’ starts with making a clear distinction between left and right hands. Each hand is then divided into four groups, one for each finger. these are the Key Finger Groups.

 

You do not need to memorise these Groups as you progressively learn these in using the TypeSmart software.

Normal Syllables and Words

TypeSmart uses only the normal combinations of characters in our language to teach you keyboard skills, with a few minor exceptions. These comprise syllables and words, called ‘Text Units’ in the eText Method. Some typical text units are:

_fr

_the

pic ture

as

_er

to fill up

Chunking

Chunking is probably the most widely used memory process of the mind. For example, we memorise phone numbers in chunks such as 408-541-6100. It is also the preferred method of teaching languages.

The eText Method starts with chunking characters into short syllables, many of which are common phonemes (the sounds which make up spoken language), then into larger groups, then short, medium and long words, then phrases and clauses, and finally sentences.

Progressive Learning

The eText Method consolidates new skills at the same time as progressively transferring these to further learning. Learning syllables helps you learn words which in turn helps you learn phrases, then clauses and sentences.

The result is that your hands start responding to your thoughts automatically, so that text creation flows to match your thinking, in a similar way to how handwriting does. 

Positive Reinforcement

The eText Method acknowledges your success only with positive feedback. It ignores your mistakes and allows you to try again.

This contrasts with traditional typing tutorial software that ‘beeps’ when you do not succeed, and displays all your mistakes on the computer screen. These negative audio and visual responses raise your performance anxiety and incorrectly imprint the mistake in your mind confusing the mind-mapping.

Positive reinforcement is obviously a much more efficient learning strategy and avoids faulty imprinting which then has to be erased or ‘overwritten’.

Visual and Euphonic Feedback

The eText Method uses modern computer technology to provide both visual and audio feedback. When correctly keyed, the key on the screen image highlights, your correct text appears on the screen and the Software speaks it!

Drawing Your Attention to the Screen

The eText Method allows you to start by looking at your hands and the keyboard, and is designed to progressively draw your attention up to the screen as you progress.

Relaxed Attention

The eText Method is designed to maximize relaxed attention and to minimize performance anxiety to create an environment conducive to learning.

It does this by avoiding any negative feedback, creating a ‘trial and success’ rather than a ‘trial and error’ mindset and by focusing on overall creativity rather than keystroke performance in terms of speed and accuracy. There is also some fun along the way.

Psychomotor Learning Strategy

Creating text on a computer is a psychomotor skill, similar to learning the piano, driving or skiing. The TypeSmart learning path goes through progressive stages for the most effective learning of psychomotor skills.

Conscious learning. The learner pays attention to understand the finger actions required and the correct keying of character groups.

Trials. The learner consciously imitates the finger actions required and subsequently succeeds or repeats the trial.

Refinement and practice. The learner improves and practices the finger actions to master the Key-Finger Groups.

Automatic performance. The learner is able to create text without conscious attention in the same way competent drivers use a car.

Following this strategy correctly means that there is no need to override faulty cognitive imprinting, as happens with traditional methods.

Together with the relaxed attention principle, the strategy should also lessen the possibility of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) by minimizing stressful imperfect coordination (providing that the correct posture and habits are used).

Motivation

The eText Method respects you as an adult. We do require you to complete the Befriending the Keyboard Module, and the TypeSmart Software presents those Lessons and Sessions in order the first time.

Beyond that you are free to choose your own learning program. You are not forced to do prescribed lessons whether you need them or not. This encourages you to take responsibility for your learning and to be self-motivated.