Touch typing skills declining among modern students

Touch typing, the ability to type using sightless motor memory, is becoming a declining skill among students. While previous generations utilized dedicated computer labs and specialized software like ‘Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing’ to build digital literacy, modern students primarily use personal devices such as Chromebooks, iPads, and phones to complete assignments, often with the assistance of generative AI.

A 2024 EdWeek Research Center survey indicates that only 69 percent of school districts teach keyboarding in a formal capacity, either through direct curriculum or as an elective course. The data suggests that more affluent school systems tend to introduce keyboarding instruction earlier than others.