Free Typing Programs

We are often asked for recommendations on typing programs and sites. It is surprisingly difficult to find good websites and software for typing. Much of it has not been updated as computer operating systems have changed, resulting in crashes and buggy software that doesn't work well.

We rated the programs out of 5. The criteria used was:

• Home key based (hands must be grounded on the home keys)
• students get an accuracy rate (expressed as a percentage) - they should aim to be between 90 and 95% Accuracy
• lessons progress in small increments, allowing students to build strong neural pathways.

Dance Mat Typing  * * *

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr

Features:

• interactive site from BBC
• 4 levels
• 12 stages of typing

Pros

• home row key approach
• great graphics
• visual keyboard cues
• fun

Cons

• no speed or accuracy
• allows students to progress when they have not mastered the keys.

Best For

• grades 2 - 4
• supporting main program at home

ABC-ya * *

http://www.abcya.com/kids_typing_game.htm

Pros

• fun - space-invaders style

Cons

• pretty random in terms of letter sequencing

Best For

• supporting main program at home

Byte Back Typing * * * *

http://byteback.org/students/student-resources/typing/

Pros

• Home row based
• provides specific feedback on errors
• Good progression

Cons

• a lot of reading
• tells you your errors but not accuracy percentage
• drill based … no fun!

Best For

• learning

Peter’s Online Typing Course **

http://www.typing-lessons.org/preliminaries_1.html

Features:

• complete course - includes ergonomics
• minimalist approach
• 18 interactive lessons
• 8 exercises

Pros

• home row key based

Cons

• lots of text
• does not give speed and accuracy, only number of mistakes and time

Best For

• adults

Sense-Lang Typing * * * *

http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/

Features:

• 15 online interactive lessons

Pros

• home key lessons
• can add customized text into the tutor (copy and paste)
• gives speed and accuracy
• has extra extension typing with articles

Cons

• reading age in articles.
• site can be unstable - not consistent in opening

Best For

• upper elementary

PowerTyping ****

http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html

Pros

• can set wpm goal
• home row keys approach

Cons

• does not give you accuracy %.

Best For

• classroom support and home practice

FreeTyping Games *****

http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asp

Pros

• fun and interactive for younger children
• has typing lessons that focus on two keys at a time
• can change game levels and the keys covered so tailor it to support keyboarding lessons

Cons

• no relevant information provided in games except a score
• some games are too visually distracting to type efficiently

Best For

• reinforcing skills taught in a drill session on other software.