Learn the correct placement of the fingers and hands on the keyboard. Placement is important in learning the keyboard. Your fingers go on the second row above the space bar. Each finger rests on a specific letter: left hand placement is, A S D F and the placement of the fingers of the right hand rest on the following letters: semi-colon, L K J. There will be a space of two keys, the G and H. If you do not have your fingers resting on the right row on the right keys, every keystroke will land on the wrong key and be more difficult for you to reach.
Practice and repetition are important in learning the keyboard. Yes, you can go through life with the "hunt and peck" method, using your two index fingers, looking down at the keyboard, then looking up at what your typing and down again. Or you can take the time to do drills to improve your strokes on the keyboard. Basic drills begin with you stroking the "home" keys repeatedly from the left hand to the right hand and then back again. Repeat several times; however, don't be surprised if you make mistakes. This same practice is great whether you are just learning the proper strokes on keyboarding or you're a professional. Practice increases accuracy.
Learn the other rows of the keyboard and finger placement. Home row to top row and then home keys to bottom keys. Once comfortable with letter placement, begin to practice with sentences and soon you will find your strokes on the keyboard improving. Have you ever seen someone who plays the piano or the guitar practicing in the air such as "air guitar"? They are practicing their craft. They know the placement of their fingers so well that they can do it in the air. Imagining you're in front of a keyboard in your spare time helps increase your memory of finger placement.
Touch the keys softly. Pounding of the keyboard is not required, especially with today's technology. You want a light touch when you are stroking the keyboard. Too light of a touch and you miss the key completely, and too hard you will end up with callouses on the ends of your fingers and a worn-out keyboard. When you find that perfect, light touch you will notice that you reach the other keys on the keyboard easier, and you will soon be able to work on documents or "chat" with your friends using both your hands and not looking down trying to figure out where you fingers go.