I grew up during the period that you would have to learn how to type first before using a computer. I honestly don't know whether this pedagogy comes from the fact that I went to an all girls school and that the curriculum might train us to be a future secretary. This means that I started learning how to touch type first before I was even allowed to learn how to use computer, which was not until I was in 8th grade. We also had to learn how to type in Thai first and then in English. For those of you who know Thai, you will see that Thai keyboard is much different than English keyboard.
Learning how to touch type in Thai and English took about a year before I started learning word processing programs and Lotus. Remember, Lotus?
This touch typing skill has become extremely handy later on in dealing with computer. My sister who is 12 years younger than me cannot touch type and it takes her a bit longer than me to complete homework assignments.
Nevertheless, I ponder what it would be like for my child. I suspect that with the increasing development in speech recognition program, it might come the time where keyboard will be obsolete. At this point, I still enjoy scaring my coworkers when I type at lightening speed. I guess the sound of click-clacking of keyboard might be intimidating to some.
To look at typing in another way, as others have addressed, I find myself more comfortable with typing than using a pen. It is hard to fathom this preference, since I only learned how to type afterwards. Studies have shown that using a pencil or a pen to write does help one's cognitive development. I remember how my students would complain endlessly when I ask them to write their essays by hands. I have seen stationery stores closed down. Perhaps, in a near future, pen will have to be displayed in a museum next to that ancient artifact called keyboard.
Photo Credit: UK Airport Services