Leveling Up Digital Literacy: How Typing Games Are Building Confidence at Isinya Digital Hub

For many young people in rural communities, using a computer for the first time can be both exciting and unfamiliar. At inABLE's Isinya Digital Hub in Kajiado County, students recently experienced that first step as they began learning how to navigate computers and build essential digital skills. 

When the students first entered the computer lab on 4 August 2026, they were introduced to Google Chromebooks and the possibilities that came with having a computer at their fingertips. For some, it was their first opportunity to use a laptop. The excitement was immediate, but so were some of the challenges. 

As instructors guided the students through practical exercises, they noticed a significant gap in basic keyboard skills. Many students had little or no previous experience using a QWERTY keyboard. Initial exercises showed that some were typing between four and seven words per minute, often using a single index finger to find each letter. For Grade 5 student Precious from Isinya Primary, the experience was unfamiliar. 

“When I first pressed a button, I had to search all over for the letter ‘M’ or ‘P.’ It felt like a puzzle where all the pieces were mixed up, and my hands kept getting tired.” 

For the instructors, it became clear that developing keyboard confidence would be an important foundation for the students' wider digital learning. Before they could comfortably navigate the web, create documents or explore more advanced digital skills, they needed to become familiar with the keyboard. 

Turning practice into play 

Rather than relying solely on traditional typing exercises, the instructors introduced gamified learning tools to make keyboard practice more engaging. One of the tools was Typing Land, a Chromebook application that introduces students to keyboarding through progressive challenges and games. Students practice key locations, build finger coordination and work through different levels while earning crowns for their progress. The approach quickly turned practice into something students looked forward to. 

For Brian, a Grade 6 participant, reaching a new level became a source of motivation. “I really wanted to get three crowns on every level. At first, I kept making mistakes on capital letters, but when I cleared my first three-word challenge without looking down at the keyboard, everyone at my desk cheered.” 

The visual progress and immediate feedback helped students recognise their improvement while encouraging them to keep practising. 

Once students became more comfortable with the keyboard, instructors introduced 10FastFingers to help them develop speed and accuracy. The platform's one-minute typing tests provided immediate feedback on words per minute and accuracy, while personal scores gave students a way to track their progress. 

The competitive element also added another layer of motivation. Students began challenging themselves to improve their previous scores and comparing their progress with classmates. 

Building the foundation for digital learning 

The value of the typing sessions extends beyond learning how to type faster. Keyboard fluency is an important foundation for many of the digital skills students will encounter at the hub, including creating documents, conducting online research and navigating digital platforms. 

For beginners, searching for individual letters can slow down learning and lead to frustration. Regular practice through interactive tools helps students become more familiar with the keyboard and gradually develop the muscle memory needed to type with greater confidence. 

The instructors have also observed that students who consistently participate in the typing activities are showing improved dictation accuracy and greater confidence using computers. 

More than a year after the programme began, the interest continues. Every Saturday, young students return to the Isinya Digital Hub to practise using Typing Land and 10FastFingers, turning what began as an unfamiliar activity into a regular part of their digital learning journey. 

From the keyboard to new possibilities 

For the students at Isinya Digital Hub, learning to type is only the beginning. As their keyboard skills improve, they are better prepared to explore other areas of digital learning and make fuller use of the technology available to them. The experience also demonstrates an important lesson about digital literacy: how technology is introduced matters. For young people with limited exposure to computers, creating an environment where learning is practical, engaging and encouraging can make the first steps less intimidating. 

At Isinya Digital Hub, typing games have become more than a way to practise keyboard skills. They are helping young people build the confidence and foundational skills they need to navigate an increasingly digital world. 

Prepared by Ngala Romanus and Stacy Wanjiru, Isinya Digital Hub