Despite tech-savvy reputation, Gen Z falls behind in keyboard typing skills

Despite growing up with technology, Gen Z lacks keyboard typing skills, with only 2.5% taking keyboarding courses by 2019, down from 44% in 2000.

: A recent Wall Street Journal report highlights Gen Z's poor keyboard typing skills. The US Department of Education data shows a steep decline in keyboarding course enrollment from 44% in 2000 to 2.5% in 2019. Continuous device usage hasn't translated into proficient typing, with many relying on tablets and mobile devices. Efforts like Christine Mueller's 'Key Bee' competition show some promise in improving these skills.

Generation Z, known for their familiarity with technology, surprisingly lacks proficiency in keyboard typing. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, only 2.5% of high school graduates took a keyboarding course in 2019, a dramatic drop from 44% in 2000.

Educators like Christine Mueller in Oklahoma City have observed this firsthand, despite schools providing laptops without efficient typing instruction. Mueller's initiative, the 'Key Bee' competition, saw significant improvements, with the fastest student typing 91 words per minute and average fourth graders doubling their speed.

Survey data from the Pew Research Center suggests educators assume that constant device use would naturally develop typing skills, yet students often prefer tablets and mobile devices. The need for better typing skills is underscored by the transition to computer-based standardized tests, prompting renewed interest in formal typing curricula in states like New York and Texas.

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