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more on typing & we need help
- This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by
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Ok so I just gave my kids who have done Mavis Beacon for 2 years a little quiz I guess you would call it.
They did terrible. Then I had them do a leason on MB and they did pretty good. Here’s what I found #1 – They look basicly at the hands at the bottom and not at the words up top. #2 They are not always using the correct finger to key & #3 – They can’t realy do it without the MB hands at the bottom.
What would you do? Do I try another program and if so what? Do I have them do it in a different way and which one? I’m lost. Any suggestions, help would be great. Misty
I’m not familiar with that program but my 9yo just finished Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum. It only gives the hand cues when they are first learning new keys, then for all the practice games there is no cue that I recall. I like that it does speed and accuracy tests before moving you ahead to a new level and there are no “hands/cues” on those. I also like that you can set your child’s words per minute goal if you don’t want what the program uses. For use that worked well, her first time through she’s typing at 10 WPM with 99% accuracy. I told her we’ll start a second accound with her name and the number 2 and this time her goal WPM is going to be set higher. 😉
We downloaded ours from here: http://www.individualsoftware.com/software/typing_instruction/typing_instructor_kids/
It was $19.95. Click through the tabs to see screen shots from throughout the game. I really like it.
tristan thanks. Do you know if once you downloaded it if you had to be online to use it? We have dial up and I can’t see that being an option for us. Just wondering thanks again. I like that you can put the WPM low.
We have Typing Instructor Deluxe, and the kids have learned well. I believe there is a prompt at the bottom, though. I’ll ask them in a while – we’re in the middle of a bunch of yardwork here.
http://www.individualsoftware.com/software/typing_instruction/typing_instructor_deluxe/
It is a good program, and I am really impressed with their improving skills. You have the option to set words per minute, and different typing plans to suit; even a custom plan if you like.
Gaeleen
Hi Misty, in case you’re still interested, Typing Instructor Deluxe has an option for the bottom of the screen: keyboard with hands, just keyboard, or nothing at all. For tests and games, there is nothing there at all.
Maybe someone else has suggestions for Mavis Beacon’s program? I am not familiar with it.
Gaeleen
Gaeleen, do you have to be online?
Also, does anyone know the effects of using a keyboard verses a laptop?
As someone who trained in shorthand and typing back in the day – I can tell you that it is not easy to learn typing on a laptop. The hands on the laptop are not positioned properly and it does not encourage correct form. However, is that is all you have then go for it – better that than nothing – however my preference as a very solid and fast typist and what I used with my daughters was an ergonomically correct full size keyboard to use with our desktop. I use the ergonomic because I suffered badly with carpal tunnel due to all the typing I have done over the years and it is far better for the hands. Again, if you don’t have one that is fine, use what comes with your computer, just make sure they take good breaks and keep a good hand position. Linda
We purchased the program, and received a disc, so we do not have to be online. We have dial up too! We don’t even need to put the disc in now, since the program is installed.
Gaeleen
Linda, any suggestions for a good program? I feel like MB would be good but it’s not working for my boys, any thoughts? thx
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