Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Typing for Kids Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Typing instructions and features should be easy for anyone to find and understand, especially children.

Feature Set

The typing software should offer an interesting variety of practice drills, lessons and tests that develop a wide range of typing skills.

Ease of Installation

The typing software should be simple to install, and installation should be error-free.

Help/Support

The typing software manufacturer should offer help files within the program; these should be easy to find and should answer common questions. Telephone and email support are also an asset.

Features

Target Age Group

The manufacturer recommends their software for children in this age range.

Lessons

Number of Lessons

The number of lessons included in the typing software. (An NA means this information was unavailable.)

Number of Practice Sessions

The number of practice sessions the typing software contains. (An NA means this information was unavailable.)

10-Key Keypad Lessons

The number of 10-key lessons included in the typing software. (An NA means this information was unavailable.)

Speed Building Exercises

The typing program contains specific exercises or drills designed to increase speed.

Accuracy Building Exercises

The typing software contains specific exercises or drills designed to improve accuracy.

Guide Hands for Keyboards

The typing software displays translucent hand guides that demonstrate the correct finger positions for a standard keyboard.

Left Hand Lessons

The typing software includes drills or lessons that target the keys used by the left hand.

Right Hand Lessons

The typing software includes drills or lessons that target the keys used by the right hand.

Lessons for Individual Fingers

The typing software contains lessons or practice drills that target individual fingers or keys.

Graduated Lessons - Containing Words, Sentences and Paragraphs

The typing software contains lessons and practices that focus on individual words, sentences or paragraphs.

Tests

Initial Skill Level Test

The typing software offers new users a timed pretest that determines skill level in order to select an appropriate starting lesson.

Warm-ups

The typing software offers typing warm-up exercises before your child takes a timed test.

Number of Tests

The number of timed tests that the typing software offers.

Timed Speed Tests

The typing software includes typing tests that determine your child's typing speed per minute.

Timed Accuracy Tests

The typing software contains typing tests that track your typing accuracy.

Create Custom Test & Timings

The typing software helps you create or customize typing tests by changing the length of existing tests or by importing your own material.

10-Key Keypad Tests

The typing software contains lessons or drills that target 10-key proficiency and top row key board skills.

Results & Progress

Words per Minute Results

The typing software will calculate your child's total words-per-minute typed.

Adjusted Words per Minute Results

The typing software will change the words-per-minute results after discounting your child's typing errors; this is called adjusted words per minute.

Accuracy Results

The typing software will calculate your child's typing accuracy rate as a percentage.

Auto Save Results on all Activities

The typing software will automatically save results of your child's timed tests, lessons and other activities from one session to the next.

Progress Reports by Key, Finger & Hand

The typing software will generate individual reports based on your child's typing skills using certain keys, specific fingers, left or right hand and individual keyboard rows.

Graphs - Bar, Line & Stacked

The typing software will chart your child's progress through drills, lessons, and tests by displaying comparison information on a graph.

Printable Progress Results

Once your child's results have been calculated, the typing software gives you the option to print them.

View Progress Results on Screen

The results of your child's lessons, drills, tests and any other activities are displayed on the computer screen.

Certificates of Achievements

The typing software will print a document certifying your child's typing skills based on time and accuracy.

Practice Material

Number of Practice Articles

The number of practice articles contained in the typing software. (An NA in this section means that this information was unavailable.)

Adjustable Challenge Levels

The typing software offers lessons and exercises at different levels, such as beginner, intermediate, and advanced typist.

Import Custom Practice Material

The typing software will allow you to electronically import practice text for your child.

Create Custom Practice Material

The typing software will allow you to create your own practice material (such as excerpts from your child's favorite book) by typing the material into the program manually.

Download Additional Practice Material

The typing software will allow you to download additional material from the manufacturer's website for use in typing practice.

Games

Number of Games

The number of games included with the typing software.

Keyboard & 10-Key Challenges

The typing software includes games or challenges that target 10-key skills.

Multi-Level Play

The games contain multiple levels of play, and some games track all-time high scorers.

Customize / Personalize

Customizable User Options

The typing software allows you to make adjustments for sound, display and more.

Create Custom Drills

The typing software allows you to customize practices and drills to suit your child's needs.

Sounds for Correct/Incorrect Keys

The typing software allows you to turn the sound off and on or change the sound for correct/incorrect key strokes.

Audio and/or Video Dictation

The typing software includes audio dictation, so your child types the spoken words heard; or video dictation, where your child types words seen.

Add Your Own Music

The typing software will allow you to import your child's favorite music as background music.

Adjustable Text Size

The typing software will allow you to resize text.

Multi-Language Support

English

The typing software works in English.

French

The typing software works in French.

Spanish

The typing software works in Spanish.

Italian

The typing software works in Italian.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.