online typing instructor?

[jacynamommy]

I am curious if anyone has used an online typing instructor? I believe someone told me here before of a typing program that Carrie had used with her kids, but I was wondering if anyone has used anything online that's free and worked well? Thanks!

[PoppyD]

We use Typing Instructor Platinum for kids (21). You can get it on amazon for about $20. All 3 of my kids love it. (Ages 6,8,12) You set the level based on age and where they are. Lots of fun games and it seems to really work. I feel like that's a good price for 3 kids and you can continue to up the challenge so it will last quite awhile. Some friends of mine use dance mat typing - which is free online. They like it but I've never used it so can't vouch for that one. Typing instructor has online subscriptions also but I prefer a one time purchase. If you want free - maybe try out dance mat first. Hope that helps.

[funkmomma71]

Typing club is free. My daughter progressed through it and type pretty well now. I'll be starting my son soon. Here's the link: https://www.typingclub.com/

[Rice]

Simply because it was mentioned, I'll comment on BBC's Dance Mat Typing.
Here's what I liked:
~free online
~shows hands on screen which helps discourage them from looking down at their own hands (less need)
~fun animation/catchy
Here's what I liked less:
~for older kids the animation becomes annoying fairly quickly
I did make my oldest (then about 9 or 10, I think) use it till he sort of knew the keyboard and was fairly solid in the home row, then we switched to:

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (CD then aviailble through Cdn Scholastic for about $5)
It's still as boring/drill-based as when I was in school (early '90s). Good skills but best for someone very motivated to learn to type/self-motivated. Occasional game as a reward.
Then my kids moved to:

Typing Instructor (Platinum, I think; again, bought through Scholastic for $8 - but that was 6-8 yrs ago)
~skills are all taught through games/races (much higher appeal for kids, especially boys!)
~I would say same level of instruction as Mavis Beacon but because it's more fun, the kids learned better.
~I like that it's not online.

My suggestion now is to do BBC till they have the keyboard somewhat familiar, the home row fairly solid and learn to look at the screen, not their hands, then switch to Typing Instructor.

Blessings,