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It's Free, It's a Little Obnoxious, but It's Definitely a Fun Typing Program for Elementary Students

I had a great typing teacher in high school, who refused to allow us to learn on anything but a manual typewriter even though we were in the so very high-tech modern age of electronic typewriters.  It was a tough class, but as a result, this teacher was very successful at turning fast, accurate typers out of his class.

What's the point of learning to type well?  Knowing how to type quickly and accurately makes being online  and around computers less frustrating.  Computers, and typing into them, will be around for a long time.  Typing well will also help our kids with college papers, writing a book, sending important letters to important people, and, hey, if a kid learns to type quickly, then you as the parent are more likely to get an email from her after she moves out!

Our kids love Dance Mat Typing.  The audio might annoy the adult in you, but since it's made for ages 7-11, an age that not only tolerates annoying sounds, but makes them on a frequent basis, the kids love this site.

Here is a description from Dance Mat Typing:

Welcome to Dance Mat Typing, an introduction to touch typing for children aged 7 - 11 years. Each of the 4 levels are divided into 3 stages. Begin at Level 1 and build up your skills gradually through to Level 4. Stage 1 introduces the home row, and stages 2 - 12 will:

• Recap the previous lesson
• Introduce new letters typed with the left and right hands
• Practise all previously learnt letters
• Reward the typist with a mini song and dance

Why learn to touch type?
When you can do it well, touch typing is the fastest way to write. Many people can soon learn to touch type faster than they can write with a pen.

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Free Computer Typing Program for K-6th

Earlier this week, I highlighted TuxPaint & TuxMath.  Today, I have one more program to show you from the same (and, yes, with the same cute penguin).  This one is for practicing typing skills.

The developers write this about TuxTyping: "TuxTyping is an educational typing tutor for kids starring Tux, the Linux penguin. This educational game comes with two different games for practicing your typing, and having a great time doing it."

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Free Typing Program

If you're tired of the fun but loud Dance Mat Typing, or if you would like a program with fewer graphics and more explanation  for your older students, I found the course for you...

Peter's Online Typing Course takes you through learning "touch typing" (that's what typing without looking at the keys is called) through a series of lessons.

I took the left-hand numbers lesson tonight while reviewing the site for you, as that's my slow area, and in only a few minutes of typing and testing (you type what it says to type  while the site times you), I improved quickly. 

There aren't any flashy games, loud audio or interactive tests at Peter's Online Typing Course, but sometimes you just want to learn, not be entertained.

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here

Keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

If you're tired of the fun but loud Dance Mat Typing, or if you would like a program with fewer graphics and more explanation  for your older students, I found the course for you...

Peter's Online Typing Course takes you through learning "touch typing" (that's what typing without looking at the keys is called) through a series of lessons.

I took the left-hand numbers lesson tonight while reviewing the site for you, as that's my slow area, and in only a few minutes of typing and testing (you type what it says to type  while the site times you), I improved quickly. 

There aren't any flashy games, loud audio or interactive tests at Peter's Online Typing Course, but sometimes you just want to learn, not be entertained.

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here

Keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Internet Scavenger Hunt (for middle/high schoolers)

Adjust the safe search settings in Google, then send your middle to high schoolers off on an Internet Scavenger Hunt using the list of given questions.  The download (safe; I did it today) is a small PDF file of questions for your student to research and answer.

MotherboardBooks describes the Internet Scavenger Hunt as: "Introduce your kids age 12 and up to the Internet using MotherboardBooks.com’s Internet Scavenger Hunt. Kids gather fun and weird facts about animals and geography as they crisscross the Internet using Google, after setting it to SafeSearch to screen out the bad stuff. Some typing skills are required."

Peter's Online Typing Program

If you're tired of the fun but loud Dance Mat Typing, or if you would like a program with fewer graphics and more explanation  for your older students, I found the course for you...

Peter's Online Typing Course takes you through learning "touch typing" (that's what typing without looking at the keys is called) through a series of lessons.

I took the left-hand numbers lesson tonight while reviewing the site for you, as that's my slow area, and in only a few minutes of typing and testing (you type what it says to type  while the site times you), I improved quickly. 

There aren't any flashy games, loud audio or interactive tests at Peter's Online Typing Course, but sometimes you just want to learn, not be entertained.

Dance Mat Typing

I had a great typing teacher in high school, who refused to allow us to learn on anything but a manual typewriter even though we were in the so very high-tech modern age of electronic typewriters.  He also had eyes like a hawk and noticed anyone who so much as peeked at a key with one eye while typing.  Every mistake cost a "point," too.  It was a tough class, but as a result, this teacher was very successful at turning fast, accurate typers out of his class.

What's the point?  Knowing how to type quickly and accurately makes being online less frustrating.  Mr. Gene, of our hometown coffee and ice cream shop, when asked if WiFi (wireless internet) is available at his shop, said, "Oh, I consider the Internet a passing phase." 

I'm sure he was kidding.  Um, I really hope so.  The internet is not a "passing phase," of course.  It, and typing into it, will be around for a long time.  Typing well will also help our kids with college papers, writing a book, sending important letters to important people, and, hey, if a kid learns to type quickly, then you as the parent are more likely to get an email from her after she moves out to go to the...convent?

Our kids love Dance Mat Typing.  A warning: you probably won't like it.  The audio will annoy you.  But since it's made for ages 7-11, an age that not only tolerates annoying sounds, but makes them on a frequent basis, the kids love this site.

Here is a description from Dance Mat Typing:

Welcome to Dance Mat Typing, an introduction to touch typing for children aged 7 - 11 years.

Each of the 4 levels are divided into 3 stages. Begin at Level 1 and build up your skills gradually through to Level 4.

Stage 1 introduces the home row, and stages 2 - 12 will:

• Recap the previous lesson
• Introduce new letters typed with the left and right hands
• Practise all previously learnt letters
• Reward the typist with a mini song and dance

Why learn to touch type?
When you can do it well, touch typing is the fastest way to write. Many people can soon learn to touch type faster than they can write with a pen.

You will need headphones or speakers to enjoy the song and dance in each game. The games use the Flash plug-in, or you can play the alternative interactive versions available at each stage. 

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Enjoy this high quality, 100% free, educational freebie found by FreelyEducate.com!

~ Lori