If you were a student in the ’80s or ’90s, you probably remember the distinctive click-clack of typewriter keys in typing class. There was a rhythm, a challenge, and—dare we say it—fun. By contrast, early computer classes often felt like staring into the abyss of a DOS screen, waiting for commands that made little sense.
Typing class wasn’t just a course; it was a mini-adrenaline rush. Timed tests pushed your fingers to move faster, accuracy drills sharpened precision, and weekly competitions gave students bragging rights. Every improvement was visible, measurable, and satisfying. Even today, those muscle memory skills pay off—you can still feel the benefit in fast emails and essays.
The Typing Class Experience
Typing class taught real, tangible skills. Students learned proper finger placement, quick keystrokes, and how to type without constantly looking down at the keyboard. There was also an unexpected bonus: confidence. As your speed improved, so did your sense of accomplishment.
- Mini Anecdote: I remember Mrs. Thompson timing us on Fridays. The click-clack of the typewriters echoed through the classroom. Hitting 50 words per minute felt like winning an Olympic medal.
- Typing tests were gamified in a way that made schoolwork feel like a challenge, not a chore.
- Even punctuation and numbers were drilled, giving students a surprisingly robust skill set.
💡 Fun Fact: Some schools even included exotic characters like @ and # long before email and social media existed—students were learning symbols of the future without realizing it.
The First Computer Classes
Then came the early computer classes. Suddenly, students were staring at monochrome DOS screens and navigating clunky word processors.
- One wrong keystroke? Error.
- Slow typing → slow processing → slow reward.
- Exercises often involved mind-numbing copying or following instructions from a teacher who barely understood the system themselves.
(Typing class: thrilling. Computer class: the blinking cursor of intense boredom.)
- Mini Anecdote: I spent 10 minutes trying to get a single command to work on WordPerfect. By the time it finally ran, half the class had moved on or given up entirely.
💡 Historical Note: Early computer classes were experimental and optional in many schools. They were seen as futuristic but didn’t have the structure or immediate feedback of typing drills, making them feel more like trial-and-error exercises than skill-building.
Why Typing Class Won
Typing class combined skill building with fun, which made students actually want to attend. Early computer classes were frustrating and slow. Typing gave immediate gratification; DOS gave endless blinking cursors.
- Students could measure improvement weekly and brag about it. (AKA: Last week I could type 30 words per minute, and this week, I can type 40 per minute.)
- The rhythm of the typewriter keys was satisfying in a way no early computer program could match.
- Typing built a foundation for all future digital writing, even long after typewriters disappeared.
Cultural Context
Schools valued typing for career prep, secretarial work, and literacy support. Typing was practical, immediate, and measurable. Computer classes were optional, experimental, and often left teachers and students frustrated.
💡 Fun Observation: Typing class was seen as “the serious skill class,” while computer class was “mess around with technology and hope it works.”
Reader Engagement Prompt
Think back: which did you prefer? The click-clack of typewriters or the blinking DOS screens? Did you ever master the speed drills or survive a frozen WordPerfect screen?
The Takeaway
Typing class wasn’t just nostalgia—it taught a lasting, useful skill while keeping students engaged. Early computer classes paved the way for today’s technology, but few remember them fondly. Your fingers learned speed, accuracy, and rhythm long before modern keyboards and apps, giving you a subtle edge even now.
- Mini Tip: If you still type slowly today, blame it on the lack of weekly timed drills!
- Next time your fingers fly over a keyboard, remember the lessons of your typing class—and maybe chuckle at the blinking DOS prompts that made early computer classes such a trial.