how to type your essay on computer

Tips for Typing an Academic Paper on a Computer

Tips for Working on the Computer

• Writing Research Papers
• Writing Essays
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

The teacher requires you to write your paper on the computer, but your skill with the word processor needs some work. Sound familiar? Here you'll find tips for using Microsoft Word, a guide for setting up your workstation, advice for citations and bibliography, MLA styling, and more.

Using Microsoft Word

You'll need to use a word processor to type your paper on the computer. Microsoft Word is one of the most commonly used programs of this kind. Once you start your computer you'll need to open Microsoft Word by double-clicking on the icon or selecting the program from a list.

Common Typing Problems

Did your words just disappear? There's nothing like typing away on a paper, only to find that you're not actually typing what you thought you were typing! There are several problems you can encounter with a keyboard that can drive you nuts. Especially if you're on a deadline. Don't panic! The solution is probably painless.

How to Double Space

Double spacing refers to the amount of space that shows between the individual lines of your paper. When a paper is "single-spaced," there is very little white space between the typed lines, which means there is no room for marks or comments.

In-Text Citations

When you quote from a source, you will always need to provide a citation that is created using a very specific format. The author and date are stated immediately after the cited material, or the author is named in the text and the date is parenthetically stated immediately after the cited material.

Inserting a Footnote

If you're writing a research paper, you might be required to use footnotes or endnotes. Formatting and numbering of the notes are automatic in Word, so you don’t have to worry about spacing and placement too much. Also, Microsoft Word will automatically re-number your notes if you delete one or you decide to insert one at a later time.

Your teacher might require that your paper is formatted according to standards of MLA style, especially if you are writing a paper for literature or English class. This picture gallery-type tutorial provides some sample pages and other advice.

Bibliography Makers

Citing your work is an essential part of any research paper. Yet, for some students, it is frustrating and tedious work. There are many interactive web tools designed to assist students when it comes to creating citations. For most of the tools, you simply fill out a form to provide the necessary information and select your preferred style. The bibliography maker will generate a formatted citation . You can copy and paste the entry into your bibliography.

• Creating a Table of Contents

Many students try to create a table of contents manually, without using the built-in process in Microsoft Word. They quickly give up out of frustration. The spacing never comes out quite right. But there is a simple fix! When you follow these steps, this is a simple process that takes a few moments, and it makes a world of difference in the look of your paper.

Be Mindful of Repetitive Stress

After you've typed for a while you may notice that your neck, back, or hands are beginning to ache. This means that your computer setup is not ergonomically correct . It's easy to fix a computer setup that can damage your body, so be sure you make adjustments at the first sign of discomfort.

• Turabian Style Guide With Examples
• Formatting Papers in Chicago Style
• What Is a Citation?
• What Is a Bibliography?
• MLA Sample Pages
• What Is a Senior Thesis?
• How to Double Space Your Paper
• APA In-Text Citations
• MLA Bibliography or Works Cited
• Bibliography: Definition and Examples
• MLA Style Parenthetical Citations
• Preventing and Recovering Lost Documents
• College School Supplies List
• When to Cite a Source in a Paper
• What Is Plagiarism?

English Typing Test Paragraphs

Stimulate your mind as you test your typing speed with this standard English paragraph typing test. Watch your typing speed and accuracy increase as you learn about a variety of new topics! Over 40 typing test selections available.

If you don't like a test prompt, you can get a different (random) prompt with the "change test" button - or select a specific paragraph to type from the list below. To find out how fast you type, just start typing in the blank textbox on the right of the test prompt. You will see your progress, including errors on the left side as you type. In order to complete the test and save your score, you need to get 100% accuracy. You can fix errors as you go, or correct them at the end with the help of the spell checker.

Personalized Feedback

This feedback graph will follow you from page to page for your typing session. You can see more details by mousing over the graph. The session is reset when the tab on your browser is closed.

Type this... CHANGE TEST

Test begins when you start typing..., check your wpm typing speed here.

To find out how fast you type, just start typing in the blank textbox on the right of the test prompt. You will see your progress, including errors on the left side as you type.

You can fix errors as you go, or correct them at the end with the help of the spell checker. If you need to restart the test, delete the text in the text box. Interactive feedback shows you your current wpm and accuracy.

In order to complete the test and share your results, you need to get 100% accuracy. You can review your progress for this session with the feedback chart. Just hover over a dot to see what your average speed and accruacy are for that key.

Letter Drills

A | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z.

Select a Specific Typing Test:

Click on a topic to use it as your test prompt. Selections are ranked according to difficulty from '*' (easiest typing tests) to '*****' (most challenging typing tests). For more details, check the difficulty key at the bottom of the page.

Short typing tests for beginners: (1 - 3 minute typing test at < 30 wpm)

• Virtual Assistant (38.4 words) ****
• Closed Captions (56.2 words) **
• Teachers (70.2 words) ****
• Business Casual (74 words) ***
• Paralegals (76.4 words) *
• Web Designers (77 words) ***
• Medical Transcription (82.6 words) ***
• Thumbing (83 words) ***
• Engineers (84.4 words) ****
• Translation (88 words) ***

Intermediate typing tests: (3-6 minutes at 40 wpm)

• Proofreaders (90 words) **
• Typing Styles (91.8 words) ***
• Typing Speed in WPM (100.4 words) ***
• Keyboard Shortcuts (104 words) *
• Buffer Method of Typing (105 words) **
• Transcription Service (107.4 words) ***
• Data Entry Clerks (112.4 words) **
• Hunt and Peck (128.2 words) **
• Touch Type (132.2 words) **
• Sales Methodologies (135.4 words) ***
• Invention of Touch Typing (147.4 words) ***
• Typing Speed Records (166.8 words) ****
• Comparing Typing Speed and Methods (169.2 words) ***
• Pharmacists (172.4 words) ***
• Editing (175.2 words) ***
• History of Flight (175.4 words) ****
• HR Management (177.4 words) ****
• Transcription Services (187.4 words) ****
• Motivation (192.4 words) ***
• Freelancers (194.6 words) ***
• Average Typing Speeds (195.2 words) ****

Hard typing tests for advanced typists: (over 4 minutes at 60+ wpm)

• Word Processors (203.8 words) ***
• Class Reunion Report (211 words) ***
• Financial Reporting (221.2 words) *****
• Biking Story (233.6 words) *
• Event Description (233.8 words) *
• New York Stock Exchange (234.6 words) **
• Career Choice Article (236.6 words) *
• Self Confidence Article (244.8 words) ***
• FDA Article (246.8 words) ***
• Competitive Typing (250.4 words) ***
• Academic Success Article (256.6 words) **
• Emotions Article (272.8 words) **
• MBA Article (276 words) ****

If you have a topic that you would like to see added to the list above, please feel free to contact us with your suggestion for a new paragraph typing test.

Typing Test Difficulty Levels

Our typing tests are ranked on level of difficulty. The algorithm to calculate difficulty depends on the average word length and how many special characters like capitals, numbers and symbols are included in the text. Most standard pre-employment typing tests will be in the normal range. You should expect to get higher wpm scores on easier tests and lower wpm scores on the more difficult tests.

• * Very Easy Typing Test
• ** Easy Typing Test
• *** Normal Typing Test
• **** Difficult Typing Test
• ***** Very Difficult Typing Test

Share your success... challenge your friends!

How To Type

Free typing lessons, typing practice and typing tests., learn how to type with how-to-type.com, typing lessons, learn to type.

Graduate from hunt-and-peck to touch typing mastery with our complete course of free touch typing lessons.

• Capital Letters
• Punctuation

Typing Practice

Practice typing.

Practice is the key to developing excellent typing skills. Make it fun by typing great quotes from great books!

Typing Tests

Typing speed tests.

Evaluate your skills and measure your progress by taking a typing test.

How to Type: 5 Tips for Faster Typing

Learn to touch type..

If you don’t know how to touch type, this is where you need to start. Having the ability to type without looking at the keyboard is the most important factor in achieving a fast typing speed. Even if you have memorized many of the keys, unfamiliar keys will slow you down just like speed bumps on the freeway. Taking your eyes off the screen to peek at the keyboard disrupts your focus and costs you time. You want to be able to keep your eyes on the screen and your fingers moving to the correct keys without thinking. Achieving this kind of flow takes practice. The better you can do it, the faster you will be. Read on to learn how.

Aim for accuracy rather than speed.

It does not matter how fast you type if you have to go back and fix all your mistakes. Fixing mistakes takes more time than it does to just slow down and take the time you need to type accurately. Fast typing depends on developing precision muscle memory. Allowing yourself to type incorrectly will actually reinforce your bad habits and common mistakes! Slow your typing pace until you can attain 100% accuracy. If you come across a difficult word, slow down further to type it properly. Develop good habits and speed will be your reward.

Practice typing exercises regularly.

Mastering typing skills takes training and practice. Practice typing on a regular schedule, 10 minutes to an hour per session, depending on your energy and focus level. Practice won’t make perfect if it is half-hearted and full of mistakes, so is important that you practice your typing exercises at a time and place where you can maintain focus and accuracy. Eliminate any potential distractions. If you find yourself making lots of errors, slow down and find a way to regain your focus or call it a day. The goal of practicing is to build muscle memory. Be consistent and mindful in your practice and you will avoid bad habits and mistakes.

Minimize your physical effort.

The less work your fingers do to press the keys the faster you will be able to move them. Most keyboards require only a light touch to register a key stroke, so there is no need to mash the keys down. Type with the minimum force necessary. You will type faster, longer and with greater ease. Typing involves muscles not only in your fingers, but in your hands, arms, back, shoulders, neck and head.

Learn the entire keyboard.

You may have enough experience typing to know most of the common keys - the letters, the space bar, enter, and I’ll bet you know that backspace! But you might be uncomfortable with some of the keys you don’t use as frequently. Do you have to slow down and look at the keyboard to type a number or symbol? If you program or work with spreadsheets you will use the symbol keys frequently. If you are a gamer there are probably CTRL, ALT and function keys that you fumble for in the heat of the battle. In fact, most all programs can be used more productively with effectively use of key combo shortcuts. Hitting these awkward keys and combos accurately allows you to maintain focus on what you are doing, so make sure you include them in your typing practice.

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Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks

Updated: July 11, 2022

Published: June 22, 2021

Many students dread writing essays, but essay writing is an important skill to develop in high school, university, and even into your future career. By learning how to write an essay properly, the process can become more enjoyable and you’ll find you’re better able to organize and articulate your thoughts.

When writing an essay, it’s common to follow a specific pattern, no matter what the topic is. Once you’ve used the pattern a few times and you know how to structure an essay, it will become a lot more simple to apply your knowledge to every essay. 

No matter which major you choose, you should know how to craft a good essay. Here, we’ll cover the basics of essay writing, along with some helpful tips to make the writing process go smoothly.

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Types of Essays

Think of an essay as a discussion. There are many types of discussions you can have with someone else. You can be describing a story that happened to you, you might explain to them how to do something, or you might even argue about a certain topic. 

When it comes to different types of essays, it follows a similar pattern. Like a friendly discussion, each type of essay will come with its own set of expectations or goals. 

For example, when arguing with a friend, your goal is to convince them that you’re right. The same goes for an argumentative essay. 

Here are a few of the main essay types you can expect to come across during your time in school:

Narrative Essay

This type of essay is almost like telling a story, not in the traditional sense with dialogue and characters, but as if you’re writing out an event or series of events to relay information to the reader.

Persuasive Essay

Here, your goal is to persuade the reader about your views on a specific topic.

Descriptive Essay

This is the kind of essay where you go into a lot more specific details describing a topic such as a place or an event. 

Argumentative Essay

In this essay, you’re choosing a stance on a topic, usually controversial, and your goal is to present evidence that proves your point is correct.

Expository Essay

Your purpose with this type of essay is to tell the reader how to complete a specific process, often including a step-by-step guide or something similar.

Compare and Contrast Essay

You might have done this in school with two different books or characters, but the ultimate goal is to draw similarities and differences between any two given subjects.

The Main Stages of Essay Writing

When it comes to writing an essay, many students think the only stage is getting all your ideas down on paper and submitting your work. However, that’s not quite the case. 

There are three main stages of writing an essay, each one with its own purpose. Of course, writing the essay itself is the most substantial part, but the other two stages are equally as important.

So, what are these three stages of essay writing? They are:

Preparation

Before you even write one word, it’s important to prepare the content and structure of your essay. If a topic wasn’t assigned to you, then the first thing you should do is settle on a topic. Next, you want to conduct your research on that topic and create a detailed outline based on your research. The preparation stage will make writing your essay that much easier since, with your outline and research, you should already have the skeleton of your essay.

Writing is the most time-consuming stage. In this stage, you will write out all your thoughts and ideas and craft your essay based on your outline. You’ll work on developing your ideas and fleshing them out throughout the introduction, body, and conclusion (more on these soon).

In the final stage, you’ll go over your essay and check for a few things. First, you’ll check if your essay is cohesive, if all the points make sense and are related to your topic, and that your facts are cited and backed up. You can also check for typos, grammar and punctuation mistakes, and formatting errors.  

The Five-Paragraph Essay

We mentioned earlier that essay writing follows a specific structure, and for the most part in academic or college essays , the five-paragraph essay is the generally accepted structure you’ll be expected to use. 

The five-paragraph essay is broken down into one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. However, that doesn’t always mean that an essay is written strictly in five paragraphs, but rather that this structure can be used loosely and the three body paragraphs might become three sections instead.

Let’s take a closer look at each section and what it entails.

Introduction

As the name implies, the purpose of your introduction paragraph is to introduce your idea. A good introduction begins with a “hook,” something that grabs your reader’s attention and makes them excited to read more. 

Another key tenant of an introduction is a thesis statement, which usually comes towards the end of the introduction itself. Your thesis statement should be a phrase that explains your argument, position, or central idea that you plan on developing throughout the essay. 

You can also include a short outline of what to expect in your introduction, including bringing up brief points that you plan on explaining more later on in the body paragraphs.

Here is where most of your essay happens. The body paragraphs are where you develop your ideas and bring up all the points related to your main topic. 

In general, you’re meant to have three body paragraphs, or sections, and each one should bring up a different point. Think of it as bringing up evidence. Each paragraph is a different piece of evidence, and when the three pieces are taken together, it backs up your main point — your thesis statement — really well.

That being said, you still want each body paragraph to be tied together in some way so that the essay flows. The points should be distinct enough, but they should relate to each other, and definitely to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph works to advance your point, so when crafting your essay, it’s important to keep this in mind so that you avoid going off-track or writing things that are off-topic.

Many students aren’t sure how to write a conclusion for an essay and tend to see their conclusion as an afterthought, but this section is just as important as the rest of your work. 

You shouldn’t be presenting any new ideas in your conclusion, but you should summarize your main points and show how they back up your thesis statement. 

Essentially, the conclusion is similar in structure and content to the introduction, but instead of introducing your essay, it should be wrapping up the main thoughts and presenting them to the reader as a singular closed argument. 

Photo by AMIT RANJAN on Unsplash

Steps to Writing an Essay

Now that you have a better idea of an essay’s structure and all the elements that go into it, you might be wondering what the different steps are to actually write your essay. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Instead of going in blind, follow these steps on how to write your essay from start to finish.

Understand Your Assignment

When writing an essay for an assignment, the first critical step is to make sure you’ve read through your assignment carefully and understand it thoroughly. You want to check what type of essay is required, that you understand the topic, and that you pay attention to any formatting or structural requirements. You don’t want to lose marks just because you didn’t read the assignment carefully.

Research Your Topic

Once you understand your assignment, it’s time to do some research. In this step, you should start looking at different sources to get ideas for what points you want to bring up throughout your essay. 

Search online or head to the library and get as many resources as possible. You don’t need to use them all, but it’s good to start with a lot and then narrow down your sources as you become more certain of your essay’s direction.

Start Brainstorming

After research comes the brainstorming. There are a lot of different ways to start the brainstorming process . Here are a few you might find helpful:

• Think about what you found during your research that interested you the most
• Jot down all your ideas, even if they’re not yet fully formed
• Create word clouds or maps for similar terms or ideas that come up so you can group them together based on their similarities
• Try freewriting to get all your ideas out before arranging them

Create a Thesis

This is often the most tricky part of the whole process since you want to create a thesis that’s strong and that you’re about to develop throughout the entire essay. Therefore, you want to choose a thesis statement that’s broad enough that you’ll have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you can’t be precise. 

Write Your Outline

Armed with your research, brainstorming sessions, and your thesis statement, the next step is to write an outline. 

In the outline, you’ll want to put your thesis statement at the beginning and start creating the basic skeleton of how you want your essay to look. 

A good way to tackle an essay is to use topic sentences . A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement that is usually the first sentence of a new paragraph. This sentence introduces the main idea that will be detailed throughout the paragraph. 

If you create an outline with the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and then a few points of what you want to discuss, you’ll already have a strong starting point when it comes time to sit down and write. This brings us to our next step… 

Write a First Draft

The first time you write your entire essay doesn’t need to be perfect, but you do need to get everything on the page so that you’re able to then write a second draft or review it afterward. 

Everyone’s writing process is different. Some students like to write their essay in the standard order of intro, body, and conclusion, while others prefer to start with the “meat” of the essay and tackle the body, and then fill in the other sections afterward. 

Make sure your essay follows your outline and that everything relates to your thesis statement and your points are backed up by the research you did. 

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

The revision process is one of the three main stages of writing an essay, yet many people skip this step thinking their work is done after the first draft is complete. 

However, proofreading, reviewing, and making edits on your essay can spell the difference between a B paper and an A.

After writing the first draft, try and set your essay aside for a few hours or even a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes to review it. You might find mistakes or inconsistencies you missed or better ways to formulate your arguments.

Add the Finishing Touches

Finally, you’ll want to make sure everything that’s required is in your essay. Review your assignment again and see if all the requirements are there, such as formatting rules, citations, quotes, etc. 

Go over the order of your paragraphs and make sure everything makes sense, flows well, and uses the same writing style . 

Once everything is checked and all the last touches are added, give your essay a final read through just to ensure it’s as you want it before handing it in. 

A good way to do this is to read your essay out loud since you’ll be able to hear if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies.

Essay Writing Tips

With the steps outlined above, you should be able to craft a great essay. Still, there are some other handy tips we’d recommend just to ensure that the essay writing process goes as smoothly as possible.

• Start your essay early. This is the first tip for a reason. It’s one of the most important things you can do to write a good essay. If you start it the night before, then you won’t have enough time to research, brainstorm, and outline — and you surely won’t have enough time to review.
• Don’t try and write it in one sitting. It’s ok if you need to take breaks or write it over a few days. It’s better to write it in multiple sittings so that you have a fresh mind each time and you’re able to focus.
• Always keep the essay question in mind. If you’re given an assigned question, then you should always keep it handy when writing your essay to make sure you’re always working to answer the question.
• Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesn’t seem random.
• Integrate your research thoughtfully. Add in citations or quotes from your research materials to back up your thesis and main points. This will show that you did the research and that your thesis is backed up by it.

Wrapping Up

Writing an essay doesn’t need to be daunting if you know how to approach it. Using our essay writing steps and tips, you’ll have better knowledge on how to write an essay and you’ll be able to apply it to your next assignment. Once you do this a few times, it will become more natural to you and the essay writing process will become quicker and easier.

If you still need assistance with your essay, check with a student advisor to see if they offer help with writing. At University of the People(UoPeople), we always want our students to succeed, so our student advisors are ready to help with writing skills when necessary. 

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Typing Lessons

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Write a letter in Word for the web

Writing a letter like this while you're online is quick and easy.

Choose one of our letter templates , and open it in Word for the web to make it yours.

As you work on the letter, you'll probably want to rename it.

Send your letter

When you're finished, print it or send it out electronically. You can do this with the letter still open in Word for the web. No need to save it first (that's already done for you).

To print it, press Ctrl+P, and wait for the Print dialog.

Note:  If you don't see a Print dialog box, click the link for opening a PDF version of your letter. From there, use the PDF program's Print command.

Send a link to your letter

For an electronic version of your letter, send out a link:

Near the top of the screen, click Share .

Under Share , click Get a Link .

Under Choose an option , click View only .

Click Create Link .

Click on the web address to select it, and then copy and paste it into an email, message, or post.

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You're writing your first blank slate!

Here are the most important things when writing blank slates.

• First: Bookmark this page ( + d). Each time you need to write something down, click the bookmark and just start typing!
• Style your slates with markdown . Here's an example and the result when viewed
• To save, press " + s" at any time or click "save" in the bottom right
• To save as a Google Doc, press " + g"
• To download as a PDF, press " + p"

Style your notes with Markdown

• Titles: #This will be a title (##this is a sub-title)
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• Link: [click here](https://source-url.com)
• - this starts a list
•     * sub-list item 1
•     * sub-list item 2

Keyboard shortcuts

• + s: Save your note
• + g: Save as Google Doc
• + p: Download as a PDF
• To publish as a blog, just use a #title at the top and then "publish" on the view-note screen
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Essay on Computer and its Uses for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on computer.

In this essay on computer, we are going to discuss some useful things about computers. The modern-day computer has become an important part of our daily life. Also, their usage has increased much fold during the last decade. Nowadays, they use the computer in every office whether private or government. Mankind is using computers for over many decades now. Also, they are used in many fields like agriculture, designing, machinery making, defense and many more. Above all, they have revolutionized the whole world.

History of Computers

It is very difficult to find the exact origin of computers. But according to some experts computer exists at the time of world war-II. Also, at that time they were used for keeping data. But, it was for only government use and not for public use. Above all, in the beginning, the computer was a very large and heavy machine.

Working of a Computer 

The computer runs on a three-step cycle namely input, process, and output. Also, the computer follows this cycle in every process it was asked to do. In simple words, the process can be explained in this way. The data which we feed into the computer is input, the work CPU do is process and the result which the computer give is output.

Components and Types of Computer

The simple computer basically consists of CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard . Also, there are hundreds of other computer parts that can be attached to it. These other parts include a printer, laser pen, scanner , etc.

The computer is categorized into many different types like supercomputers, mainframes, personal computers (desktop), PDAs, laptop, etc. The mobile phone is also a type of computer because it fulfills all the criteria of being a computer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Uses of Computer in Various Fields

As the usage of computer increased it became a necessity for almost every field to use computers for their operations. Also, they have made working and sorting things easier. Below we are mentioning some of the important fields that use a computer in their daily operation.

Medical Field

They use computers to diagnose diseases, run tests and for finding the cure for deadly diseases . Also, they are able to find a cure for many diseases because of computers.

Whether it’s scientific research, space research or any social research computers help in all of them. Also, due to them, we are able to keep a check on the environment , space, and society. Space research helped us to explore the galaxies. While scientific research has helped us to locate resources and various other useful resources from the earth.

For any country, his defence is most important for the safety and security of its people. Also, computer in this field helps the country’s security agencies to detect a threat which can be harmful in the future. Above all the defense industry use them to keep surveillance on our enemy.

Threats from a Computer

Computers have become a necessity also, they have become a threat too. This is due to hackers who steal your private data and leak them on internet. Also, anyone can access this data. Apart from that, there are other threats like viruses, spams, bug and many other problems.

The computer is a very important machine that has become a useful part of our life. Also, the computers have twin-faces on one side it’s a boon and on the other side, it’s a bane. Its uses completely depend upon you. Apart from that, a day in the future will come when human civilization won’t be able to survive without computers as we depend on them too much. Till now it is a great discovery of mankind that has helped in saving thousands and millions of lives.

Frequently Asked Questions on Computer

Q.1  What is a computer?

A.1 A computer is an electronic device or machine that makes our work easier. Also, they help us in many ways.

Q.2 Mention various fields where computers are used?

A.2  Computers are majorly used in defense, medicine, and for research purposes.

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The ISEE at Home: What to Expect

You can now take the ISEE at home, making it safe and easy to take this important admissions test. There are three different proctoring options when you take the ISEE at home: you can take the test through ProProctor, a school, or ERB. This guide includes information about taking the ISEE through ProProctor. The at-home testing option is available for the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels.

Although the structure and content of the ISEE at home test is the same, the experience of taking the test at home is different from taking the test in person. Understanding what the testing experience will be like will help ease test-day nerves and ensure that you are prepared.

Before Test Day

Technical requirements.

To take the ISEE at home, you will need a computer or laptop with a webcam. You can use wired headphones that are connected to the computer or laptop, but wireless or bluetooth headphones are not permitted.

You will also need reliable internet access. It’s highly recommended that your computer or laptop is connected directly into your internet router via an Ethernet cable. If that’s not possible, be sure to find a place where the WiFi connection is strong. Also, make sure other members of the household are limiting the use of internet while you’re testing.

Before test day, read the ProProctor User Guide and complete the System Readiness Check on the computer or laptop you will be using on test day. Then, download and install the ProProctor application, which is where you will be taking the test.

Other Requirements

Find a quiet space where you can be alone during testing. Make sure you have a clear work area, such as a desk or table, and a chair.

On Test Day

Login to the ProProctor site and start the pre-testing setup at the check-in time noted in your confirmation email. The check-in time is about 30 minutes before the start time. Part of the check-in entails taking a picture of the student and the student’s ID. Be sure to review the list of approved IDs in the confirmation email. A parent or guardian is allowed to be in the room during the initial set up, but they must leave when the test starts.

After check-in, your ProProctor Readiness Agent will conduct three security checks before starting the test. First, the proctor will confirm your name, address, and test details. Next, the proctor will perform an environment check during which you will use your webcam to show the proctor a 360 degree view of your workspace. Finally, the proctor will do a student check by asking you to turn your pockets inside out, pulling up your selves, ect. to make sure you don’t have any unauthorized items.

If you do need assistance, the proctor will be available throughout the test. You can chat with the proctor by using the “Live Proctor” or “Chat” feature on the right side of the screen. Please keep in mind that the proctor is there to provide technical support and won’t be able to help with questions on the test.

Lower Level

The Lower Level is for students applying to grades 5 or 6.

Middle and Upper Level

The Middle Level is for students applying to grades 7 or 8.The Upper Level is for students applying to grades 9-12.

Selecting an Answer

For the multiple choice questions, simply click on the letter next to the answer choice to select that answer. 

ISEE at home:

ISEE Practice on Test Innovators:

Moving Between Questions

You will be able to move between questions by using the “previous” or “next” buttons.

Going Back to Questions

On the Test Innovators practice platform, the questions that have been answered will be shaded blue, the questions that haven’t been answered will be white, and the questions that have been flagged will have an orange dot above them. You can click on the question number to go directly to that question.

Typing the Essay

During the Essay section, you will type your essay in the space provided. 

Finishing a Section Early

If you complete a section before the time runs out, you can check your work on that section and then finish the section when you’re ready.

Finishing a Section

When the time is up, you will be prompted to move onto the next section.

Highlighting

You can use the highlighter tool to highlight important information. Simply click and drag your mouse over the text you want to highlight. 

Eliminating Answer Choices

You can eliminate wrong answer choices to narrow down the answer choices.

To eliminate answer choices on the ISEE at home, click the ‘strikeout option’ and then click on the answer choice you’d like to cross off.

To eliminate answer choices on the Test Innovators practice platform, click on the ‘x’ next to the answer choice. 

Flagging Questions 

You can flag questions you want to come back to later. 

To flag questions on the ISEE at home, click on the flag icon in the top left corner. 

To flag questions on the Test Innovators practice platform, click on the “come back later” button. An orange dot will appear above flagged questions.  

After Test Day

When you take the ISEE at home, your scores will be available within 24-72 hours and can be accessed on the ERB online parent portal .

Taking the Test Again

If you aren’t happy with your scores, you may be able to take the test again. Students can take the ISEE up to three times per year, once during each of the three testing seasons. The testing seasons are Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March), and Spring/Summer (April-July). 

For more information about the ISEE at home, check out the ERB’s site .

To prepare for the ISEE, check out ISEE prep from Test Innovators , the only ERB-endorsed ISEE test prep. Start your personalized preparation today!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, act computer-based testing: everything you need to know.

ACT General Info

Have you been told you need to take a computer-based ACT or heard that some people take the ACT on a computer and want to know if it's an option for you? Who is allowed to take ACT computer-based testing, and who is stuck still making sure they have a #2 pencil on test day? We answer all your questions about computer-based ACTs in this guide, including if taking a computer-based ACT will give you a higher or lower score than a paper test, why computer-based ACT is being offered, and how you can prepare for this new version of the test. 

What Is ACT Computer-Based Testing? Who Is It Available To?

Is the ACT online or on paper? Computer-based ACT testing is where you take the ACT on a computer instead of the traditional paper and pencil version. The content and format of the computer-based ACT (often known as the ACT CBT) is the same as the traditional ACT, just this version is taken on a computer. This isn't an online test, and you'll still need to register for a test date and take the exam in a test center. It's just as official as the traditional ACT and accepted by all schools that accept paper ACT scores. 

So, will you take the ACT on a computer? It largely depends where you're taking the test. The ACT CBT is primarily available to students taking the ACT internationally. If you're taking the ACT in the US, you'll probably still take the paper and pencil test. Some schools offer ACT CBTs on certain ACT school days (this is where you take the ACT at school, during the school day), but they're currently the minority. If you register for a national test, you'll take it with pencil and paper. Beginning in September 2020, however, the ACT CBT will become available on national test dates across the US.

However, computer-based ACTs are already being used abroad . In fact, if you're taking the ACT outside of the US, you must take the computer-based test. The paper version of the test is no longer available internationally. The only exceptions are if you have certain accommodations that allow you to take a paper version of the test.

ACT Computer-Based Locations and Test Dates

If you take the ACT anywhere outside of the United States, you'll be taking the computer-based version of the exam. There are typically seven international testing dates a year, in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. These are the 2020 international ACT test dates:

You can find a PDF of all the international ACT test centers here . Remember, taking the ACT internationally costs more than taking it into the US. Currently an international ACT costs $150 if you don't take the optional Writing section, and $166.50 if you do include Writing.

Why Does ACT, Inc. Offer Computer-Based Testing?

ACT Inc., the organization that designs and administers the ACT, hasn't given a definite reason for why they require international test takers to take computer-based ACTs. They've mentioned that it allows them to offer more test dates and return scores more quickly.

Many have speculated that ACT Inc. is also requiring computer-based testing internationally to reduce the potential of cheating. ACT Inc. itself has alluded to this by saying computer-based tests allow them to provide a "secure experience for test takers." Computer-based ACTs can be easier to monitor and can offer the questions in different orders for each student to reduce cheating. By requiring ACTs to be taken on a computer, ACT Inc. hopes to minimize any cheating so that scores are more fair and accurate for everyone who takes the test.

How Does Computer-Based ACT Testing Differ From Traditional ACTs?

Besides the fact that you take one test on the computer and the other with pencil and paper, how do computer-based and traditional ACTs differ? We cover the main similarities and differences in this section.

Similarities

Same format

• Both versions of the ACT will have the exact same format , number of questions, section order, and time per section.

Same content and difficulty

• Despite what you may have heard, ACT computer tests aren't harder than the paper and pencil version. Both test the same topics and have the same difficulty level. The computer-based ACT was designed so that a person who gets, say, a 26 on the paper version would highly likely get a 26 on the computer-based version as well.
• Both ACTs are scored on the same 1-36 scoring scale.
• Unfortunately, you can't take the computer-based ACT from the comfort of your own home. For any ACT, you must register well beforehand and take the exam at a set time in a set place. The paper version of the ACT is often taken at schools, while the computer version will generally be taken at specialized test centers.

Not adaptive

• Like the paper version, ACT computer-based testing is not adaptive. Adaptive tests change depending on how well you're doing on the test. For example, if you get the first question correct, the second question might be more challenging, while if you get the first question wrong, the second question might be easier. However, neither version of the ACT is like this. For both, the question order is set before you take the test and won't change.

Can go back within a section to review answers

• For both versions of the ACT, you can review answers to any question on the section you're currently on. However, you can't go back to previous sections. So, say you're currently taking the Science section. During that time, you can review any of the 40 questions in that section, but you can't go back and review a Math or Reading question.

Use physical calculator

• Some computer-based tests have onscreen calculators you'll use for math questions, but for both versions of the ACT you'll use a physical calculator you'll need to bring with you on test day. The same calculator rules apply to both tests.

Differences

You'll receive scores faster for the computer-based test

• One of the best advantages of the computer-based ACT is that you'll receive your score in only about two business days, compared to 3+ weeks for the paper test. If you take the Writing section, you'll receive those results about two weeks after the rest of your results.

Colleges receive computer-based test score results faster

• Just like how you receive your scores faster with the computer-based test, colleges you select to receive your scores will also get those scores faster, usually a day or so after you receive your results.

Computer -based tests may have more test dates and testing locations

• This hasn't happened much yet, but ACT, Inc. has stated one of their reasons for requiring computer-based ACTs internationally is to offer more test dates. These tests also have the potential to be held at more test centers and at different days/times, so it could be easier for you to find a test date that works for you.

Type instead of write your essay

• The Writing section on the ACT is optional, but if you decide to take it, you may have an easier time with it on a computer-based test where you'll be able to type your essay instead of write it. As most people type faster than they write, this can save you valuable time.

As you can see, the content and format of the exams are the same. The main differences are in how the test is taken, where you'll take it, and how soon you'll receive your results.

How Can You Prepare for a Computer-Based ACT?

Practice versions of computer-based ACTs are available so that you can get a sense of what taking the test on the computer will be like. The practice tests work best if you're using Google Chrome, and you can take the tests either timed or untimed. You'll have access to the following number of questions for each section: 

Together, these sections are equal to one full-length ACT (complete with optional Writing section). These practice questions have the same format and interface as the official computer-based ACT you'll take on exam day. Taking these computer-based practice tests are key because they'll get you used to the layout of the computer-based ACT so you don't waste any time on test day looking for the correct button to press (I had to spend a few seconds searching for the "next" button when I first took the practice tests).

However, as study resources, they do have limitations. The biggest is that there are no answer explanations; you'll only be able to see which questions you answered correctly and which you answered incorrectly. This makes it difficult to learn how to solve questions that stumped you. Also, these are the only computer-based ACT practice questions available, and you'll likely need to take much more than just one practice ACT to reach your goal score. We recommend taking at least three to six practice ACTs.

Fortunately, there are more resources available. There are six official paper versions of the ACT available for free , and you should absolutely use at least some of them. Although they won't have the computer-based format, the content they cover will be the same, so you'll learn which areas of the ACT to focus your studying in. We recommend studying for the ACT while taking several of the paper practice tests , then taking the computer-based practice test near the end of your studying period so the format is fresh in your mind. Take the computer-based practice test timed and all in one sitting to get the most accurate score possible.

Summary: Is the ACT Taken on a Computer?

ACT computer tests are available, but only to students taking the ACT outside of the US. If you're taking the ACT within the US you'll take a paper and pencil version, and if you're taking it in another country, you'll take ACT computer-based testing. Other than the format you're taking the test in, there are actual not many differences between the two test versions. Both have the same format, content, difficulty level, and scoring. If you're taking a digital ACT test, we recommend you take the official practice ACT computer test so you can get a sense of what to expect on test day.

What's Next?

Wondering if the ACT will become an online exam in the future?  Read our guide to learn about the status of online ACTs and how those plans are being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Practice tests are one of the best ways to prepare for the ACT. Check out our collection of every ACT practice test available .

Not sure how to register for the ACT? Our step-by-step guide to ACT registration walks you through every step you need to take.

Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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• Essay on Computer

Long and Short Computer Essay

The term computer was once used to refer to a person who did computation, unlike today. The development of early prototypes that led to the modern computer is credited to many individuals throughout history. A series of breakthroughs, beginning with transistor computers and then integrated circuit computers, resulted in the development of transistor technology and the integrated circuit chip, causing digital computers to largely replace analogue computers. 

In this essay, we will discuss the various components and types of computers and talk about their uses in various fields.

Long Computer Essay in English

A computer is an electronic tool that manipulates data or information. It can store, retrieve, and process information. We can type documents, send emails, play games, and browse the Web using a computer. It can also be used to edit spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos, or create them. 

Early computers were conceived only as devices for calculating. Simple manual devices such as the abacus have helped individuals do calculations since ancient times. Some mechanical devices were built early in the Industrial Revolution to automate long, tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. In the early 20th century, more sophisticated electrical machines performed specialized analogue calculations. 

Common Components of Computers

All those parts of a computer that are tangible physical objects are covered under the term hardware. The hardware includes circuits, computer chips, graphics cards, sound cards, memory (RAM), motherboards, displays, power supplies, cables, keyboards, printers and "mice" input devices.

 There are five main hardware components: 

Input Devices: 

These are devices that are used to enter data/information in the central processing unit. Example- keyboard, mouse, scanner, document reader, barcode reader, optical character reader, magnetic reader etc.

Output Devices: 

These are devices that provide the processed data/information into human-readable form. Example- monitor, printer, speaker, projector etc.

Control Unit: 

The control unit handles the various components of the computer; it reads and interprets (decodes) the instructions for the program, transforming them into control signals that activate other computer parts.

Arithmetic Logic Unit: 

It is capable of performing arithmetical and logical functions. The set of arithmetic operations supported by a specific ALU may be restricted to addition and subtraction or may include functions of multiplication, division, trigonometries such as sine, cosine, etc., and square roots.

Central Processing Unit: 

The ALU, control unit and registers and together called the CPU. It is sometimes called the computer's brain, and its job is to perform commands. We send instructions to the CPU whenever we press a key, click the mouse, or start an application.

Software refers to computer parts, such as programs, data, protocols, etc., that do not have a material form. In contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built, the software is that portion of a computer system consisting of encoded information or computer instructions.

It is sometimes called "firmware" when the software is stored in hardware that can not be easily modified, such as with a BIOS ROM on an IBM PC compatible computer.

Computer hardware and software require each other, and neither of them can be realistically used on their own. There are four main components of a general-purpose computer: the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), the control unit, the memory, and the I/O (collectively called input and output) devices.

Uses of Computer

Computers are used in various fields, such as homes, businesses, government offices, research organizations, educational institutions, medicine, entertainment, etc. because of their features and powerful functions. They have taken sectors and companies to a whole new level.

Science- 

Computers are best suited for the collection, analysis, categorization, and storage of data in science, research and engineering. They also help scientists to exchange data both internally and internationally with each other.

Government-  

Computers in the government sector are used to perform various functions and improve their services. In most cases, data processing tasks, the maintenance of citizens' databases, and the promotion of a paperless environment are the primary purposes of using computers. In addition to this, computers play a key role in the country's defence system.

Health and Medicine- 

They are used to preserve information, records, live patient monitoring, X-rays, and more from patients. Computers assist in setting up laboratory tools, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, etc. Besides, computers allow physicians to easily exchange patient data with other medical specialists.

Education- 

They help people get different educational materials (such as images, videos, e-books, etc.) in one place. Also, computers are best suited for online classes, online tutoring, online exams, and task and project creation. Also, they can be used to maintain and track student performance and other data.

Banking- 

Most countries use online banking systems so that customers can access their data directly. People can verify the balance of their account, transfer cash, and pay online bills, including credit cards. Besides, banks use computers to execute transactions and store client information, transaction records, etc.

Short Computer Essay in English

A computer's a programmable device that accepts raw data(input) and processes it as output with a group of instructions (a program) to supply the result. It renders output after performing mathematical and logical operations and can save the output for future use. The word "computer" derives from the word "computare" in Latin, which means calculating.

Types of Computer

Computers are of different types based on different criteria. Based on their size, computers are of five types:

Micro Computers- 

It is a single-user computer that has less capacity for speed and storage than the other types. For a CPU, it uses a microprocessor. Laptops, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, and smartphones are common examples of microcomputers. Microcomputers are generally designed and built for general use, such as browsing, information search, the internet, MS Office, social media, etc.

Mini Computers- 

Minicomputers are also referred to as "Midrange Computers." They are multi-user computers designed to simultaneously support multiple users. Therefore, they are generally used by small companies and firms. 

Mainframe Computers- 

It is also a multi-user computer that large companies and government organizations use to run their business operations as large amounts of data can be stored and processed. Banks, universities, and insurance companies, for example, use mainframe computers to store data from their customers, students, and policyholders.

Super Computer- 

Among all types of computers, supercomputers are the fastest and most costly computers. They have an enormous capacity for storage and computing speeds and can therefore perform millions of instructions per second.

Workstations-  

It is a single-user computer with a comparatively more powerful microprocessor and a high-quality monitor compared to a mini-computer.

Benefits of Computers:

It increases productivity.

It helps in connecting to the internet.

It helps in organizing data and information.

It allows storing large amounts of data.

Fun Facts About Computers

The first electric computer that was invented weighed around 27 tons or even more than that and took up to 1800 square feet.

There are about 5000 new viruses that are released every month.

The original name of Windows was Interface Manager.

It is surely known that the life of humans would not have been so easy if computers were not a part of human life. This is also supported by a lot of pieces of evidence where we can even see in daily life how the computer is not just present in an organization but is also available right in the pockets of everyone. Thus, the computer has surely made it easy while also spoiling a lot of people's lives. 

FAQs on Essay on Computer

1. What are the disadvantages of computers?

While the computer has surely made life easier, it also has a lot of disadvantages. The disadvantages of the computers can be provided as follows:

People spend too much time sitting and doing nothing but watching the content on computers.

People staring at computers for a long time also tend to strain their eyes, and as a result, they need spectacles to understand what is being written in front of them.

Attention span is decreasing with an increase in the use of computers. 

With computers being AI-powered, it is now easier for people to do all the tasks on a computer and not work on it themselves. This has made a lot of people lazy.

2. What is the process of working on a computer?

A computer is an electronic machine and it needs information to be added in as raw data to function well. It has a flow that determines the accessing of data. The following steps take place before the results are obtained:

Information is taken in by the computer in the form of raw data. This process is also called the input.

Then the information that is not needed will be stored while the information that is needed is passed onto the next step. The storing of data is called memory.

Then the information that is required is crushed or it is split and this process is called processing.

The last step is where the results are obtained. This process is called getting the output.

How to digitize your handwritten notes or copy text from a photo

OK, I admit it. I’m a sucker for the latest gadget. I bought a smart notebook with all the upgrades to write my daily to-do lists digitally. Yeah, $600 later, I’ve used it eleven times.

It’s easy to waste money on tech. Tap or click for ways you might be throwing away money and solutions to help you save.

If you’re not getting enough life out of your gadgets, you can fix that, too. Tap or click for 8 ways you’re ruining your PC.

The truth is, I like the feeling of an actual pen on paper. Maybe you do, too, but that doesn't mean you can't digitize all your notes for easier searching and sorting. Here's how:

Get smart (notes)

Ever wish you could turn your handwritten notes into something you can search or edit on your computer, phone, or tablet? You could take a picture, but that has a few limitations. You won't be able to search for certain phrases or edit the text. You need something made for the job.

A terrific way to get a handwritten note into your computer is to use the app Evernote . You simply take a picture of the note, and Evernote turns it into a searchable document. You can also organize your notes in folders and with labels.

You can also try Microsoft’s OneNote app . You take a picture of your writing and, like Evernote, can organize things into notebooks and pages.

Pro tip: Keep in mind the apps only work well with legible handwriting. If they aren’t picking up your notes, you’re going to have to slow down a bit.

Speaking of digitizing, what about all your old photos? Tap or click for an easy way to scan without buying a scanner.

Bonus tip: How to copy text from a photo

Apple's latest major iPhone update, iOS 15, has many handy features to make life easier. Tap or click here for some of my favorites.

Here’s one I especially like: The Live Text feature allows you to scan, search and share text in photos and images.

Note: You’ll need an iPhone XS, XR, or later with iOS 14 installed.

This is great to translate text that can't be copied and pasted or find a photo with specific wording in it. It also works for phone numbers. Simply snap a photo of a package, for instance, and you can call the number in just a couple of quick clicks.

It doesn’t just work with your photos, either. You can use the camera app to scan for text around you.

To scan for information in photos and images, first, make sure the function is activated. Tap the Settings app, go to General and then to Language & Region . Enable Live Text by toggling it on .

Open the Photos app for photos on your camera roll and select the image you want to scan. Touch and hold over the text in the picture, and the grab points will appear around it. You will see several options to copy, select all text, translate, or share.

To identify text with your camera, open the camera app and point it at the text. The indicator icon will be available in the bottom right corner when the app detects text in the viewfinder. Tap the icon.

From there, you can select the text in the same way as described above. To cancel the capture, tap on the screen and the image will disappear.

Digital Life Hacks: Smart digital tips you need to know

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple , Google Podcasts , or your favorite podcast player.

Over the years, I have made it my mission to share quick tips and advice to make your digital life easier. These are all those clever hacks you won't find buried in a user manual. In this episode, my team and I share smart new tech know-how, from a safer way to share passwords to turning your handwritten notes digital.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Learn about all the latest technology on the  Kim Komando Show , the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at  Komando.com .

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

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Chars. per Minute

Significance

The progress bar underneath your test results shows how significant your typing test is. Since your results may vary depending on the practice time, you have to type at least 10 minutes to get significant results. Your error rate should not be higher than 5% - if the progress bar turns red, you have to improve your error rate.

Your type tests

Here you can see all your test results. The green marked test is your currently active one. All others have already been completed. You can create a new test as soon as your currently active test is completed.

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TypeLift Pro

With the new Pro version you have access to more great features that boost your typing practice. See for yourself:

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