Typing+Instructor

 **__Description__**

[|Typing Instructor for Kids] is an excellent software program to teach home row typing and familiarization of the alphabets. This instructional software is great for elementary to middle school levels. The software will work on both Mac and Windows PC systems. Each copy of Typing Instructor will track up to five students, monitor their accuracy, and speed progress. In addition to the core lesson plans there are multi-level games that assist in typing such as Typing With Sharks, Xtreme Typing, and Tomb Typer. This software supports audible instructions in both English and Spanish Languages. (1)

List of Features and Functions:(4) > > **Entertaining:** > > **Motivating:**
 * || **Educational Benefits:**
 * 160 Lessons in English & Spanish
 * Proven Methods for Skill-Building
 * Unique Drills & Interactive Exercises
 * Age-Appropriate Content
 * Standard & Split Keyboards
 * Multi-Skill Levels
 * Choose From 10 customized lesson plans
 * 30+ Game Challenges
 * Multi-Level Games
 * Island Adventure Theme Motivates Kids to Improve Typing Skills
 * Instant Feedback on Typing Progress
 * Certificates of Achievement
 * Charts & Feedback
 * Printable Results
 * Music ||  ||

**__History__**

The current version of this software is version five. There have been four previous versions to the current one. The software has accumulated numerous awards and reviews from various different publications such as Newsweek and other educational software reviews. In 2007, Typing Instructor for Kids won, Top Ten Reviews, Gold Award for Kids Software Report.(2) For 2011, the software gained four stars, Gold Award, Top Ten Review by Top Ten Reviews.(3)

**__Impact on Teaching and Learning__**

This software makes learning how to type exciting and fun through visuals, animation, and multi-level games. The basic typing skills are needed in today’s educational environments as well as job and work environments because of computer and technology integration. Typing has become a basic skill necessary for [|blended learning](A) as much as reading and writing comprehension. Not only is the software educational but fun for the student learner, by making typing fun and varied students gain the necessary skills to be able to type fast and accurately. Through games, fun sound effects, and animation student learners are visually and audibly stimulated to learn by appealing to more than one [|human sense organ](D).

**__ Practical Applications __**

Fast and accurate typing is essential for word processing, emails, and digital communications. This software is easy to install and requires [|minimum hardware requirements]. (1) Teachers or instructors will be able to quickly setup and apply this application to a multitude of varied skilled learners from beginners to moderately advanced. There is a section called Story Lagoon where students can pick a passage to type from Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, Classics, and Literature. For example, in Fairy Tales you can pick one of ten tales to type from such as Cinderella, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid. After each tale a speed and accuracy report is generated for the student. In the section called Explorer Isle, this is where students can access games that they have learned the keys for. To unlock more sections on the games students must complete more lessons on the main island for core instructions.

**__ Examples and Demonstrations __**

This program can be most useful in aiding [|ELL] (B) students as well as Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Along with visual recognition the software provides audible alphabet recognition through instructions and games.

(I) The two pictures bellow show ELL students using the software to further their skills in typing. (II) The video below shows an overview of the main features, functions, and capabilities of the single user license software. media type="youtube" key="9xq156R1RE4" height="315" width="560" align="center"

(III) The video bellow shows an overview of the multi-user license software and the administrator console capabilities that is added for the instructor or teacher. media type="youtube" key="qlyd5J0cbSQ" height="315" width="560" align="center"

**__ References __**

(1) [|http://www.individualsoftware.com]. Individual Software (2011). Accessed 9/27/2011. (2) []. Individual Software (2011). Accessed 9/27/2011. (3) []. Top Ten Reviews. Accessed 9/27/2011. (4) []. Timberdoodle. Accessed 9/28/2011.

**__ External Links __**

(A) [| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended_learning]. Wikipedia (2011). Accessed 9/28/2011. (B) []. Wikipedia (2011). Accessed 9/28/2011. (C) []. Wikipedia (2011). Accessed 9/28/2011. (D) []. Wikipedia (2011). Accessed 9/28/2011.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**__ About the Author __**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ken Miyamoto is a graduate student at the University of Hawaii Manoa, he is enrolled in the Educational Technology Master's Program, for Fall of 2011. His occupation is a part time teacher at Kauluwela Elementary School and a Sales Associate at Creative Sound and Lighting. His email address is djkenace@gmail.com.