GitHub - zerubeus/type-selection: Chrome extension to type text on webpages instead of reading them.

TypePractice Select

Overview

TypePractice Select is a Chrome extension that transforms your reading experience by making it interactive. As you type the text you've selected, it highlights your progress, helping you maintain focus and engage more deeply with the content.

Motivation

TypePractice Select addresses three critical aspects of learning and productivity simultaneously:

1. Improved Typing Speed: Regular practice through active engagement with text
2. Enhanced Reading Comprehension: Converting passive reading into active participation
3. Sustained Focus: Engaging directly with content instead of passive consumption

Research-Backed Benefits

Recent research strongly supports the benefits of combining reading with active engagement through typing or writing:

Active Engagement & Learning Outcomes

• Studies show that combining reading with active writing tasks significantly improves proficiency in both skills
• Higher writing motivation correlates with better performance and sustained attention
• Active engagement through writing/typing forces deeper cognitive processing compared to passive reading

Cognitive Benefits

• The process requires analyzing and processing text actively, enhancing critical thinking
• Active participation reduces anxiety and improves comprehension
• Encourages metacognitive reflection and deeper understanding of content

Focus Enhancement

Research indicates that combining reading with active tasks:

• Requires deeper processing of material
• Promotes sustained attention through continuous engagement
• Improves retention through active participation

"Current evidence supports the idea that writing or typing enhances focus by necessitating active engagement, leading to better comprehension and retention."

Features

• 🎯 Select any text on any webpage
• ⌨️ Interactive typing experience
• 🎨 Real-time visual feedback with color-coded progress
• 🚫 Prevents accidental exits while typing
• ⌨️ Keyboard shortcuts support

How to Use

1. Select any text on a webpage
2. Right-click and select TypePractice Select from the context menu
3. Start typing the selected text:
   • Correctly typed characters turn green
   • Current character to type is highlighted in blue
   • Incorrect typing is shown in red
   • Spaces must be typed to proceed to the next word
4. Press Esc to exit typing mode

Installation

1. Clone this repository or download the ZIP file
2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/
3. Enable "Developer mode" in the top right
4. Click "Load unpacked" and select the extension directory

License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.