| Today's children need to learn how to type. | | | | Another type of software to look for is a typing |
| Traditionally, typing class has been offered on the high | | | | education program that combines games with |
| school level, but in today's computer-driven society, this | | | | traditional typing drills. With these programs, students |
| is often too late. Children are on the computer before | | | | are rewarded with typing games after learning a new |
| they are out of diapers, and if they do not learn proper | | | | typing skill. This combines the fun of the game with the |
| typing skills before high school, they may never unlearn | | | | educational component of the typing drill. Typing |
| the poor habits they learned as children. Typing games | | | | software can help students learn to type on their own. |
| are one way that teachers on all grade levels can | | | | Most of the time the programs will track the students' |
| introduce the keyboard and proper typing techniques | | | | progress and provide evaluation that teachers can |
| to children without sacrificing too much instruction time. | | | | translate into grades on the grade card. Adults can |
| When shopping for typing games to use with your | | | | even use these programs to improve their typing |
| students, pick something that is age appropriate. You | | | | speeds on their own. |
| can find typing games that utilize the popular cartoon | | | | Homeschoolers can use typing games to effectively |
| character of the day for younger children, or you can | | | | teach typing at home. The goal of teaching typing is |
| find more sophisticated games that are perfect for | | | | not necessarily to go through a traditional curriculum, |
| older students. If the typing games are suited to the | | | | but rather to make sure your children are able to type |
| kids' age and skill level, they are more likely to play | | | | correctly and quickly. If your state requires a grade for |
| them. | | | | typing, many of the typing games on the market that |
| Next, see if you can find something the students can | | | | are designed for older children do evaluate their |
| play with little teacher direction. This is particularly | | | | progress as they type their way through the game. |
| helpful if you are going to use the typing games as | | | | This evaluation can easily be translated into a grade if |
| rewards during free time. You may be busy helping | | | | needed. |
| other students or grading papers when the students | | | | Are there any cons to using typing games in your |
| are on the computer. Of course, if you are going to | | | | classroom or home school setting? If they are used |
| use the games in a traditional typing class, you may | | | | correctly, there really are no negatives to this type of |
| not need them to be quite so self-sufficient. | | | | educational software. Typing is a skill that is only |
| When your students are playing the typing game you | | | | learned through repeated practice. There is no amount |
| have chosen, do spend some time monitoring them to | | | | of study that your students can do to improve their |
| make sure they are using correct typing techniques. | | | | typing speed. It's easy to acquire typing skills by |
| Some of the typing games that are aimed at younger | | | | practicing the exercises in typing game softwarel. You |
| kids can be done with one or two fingers, without using | | | | won't find boring typing drills in today's typing games. |
| the keyboard correctly. If the students are using the | | | | Not only that, but typing is an absolutely necessary skill |
| games this way, they might as well not be using them | | | | in today's job market. No matter what career path |
| at all, because they are learning improper techniques | | | | your students choose to follow, being able to type well |
| while using the educational software. | | | | and quickly will be considered an asset. |