A lot of readers might be surprised to learn that I have very poor typing technique. In fact, this post is being written primarily without the use of my thumbs or pinkies or ring fingers touching the keyboard. Over time I’ve developed a technique that works for me, but I do wish that I had learned to type correctly when I was young. Below are five free resources that can help your students develop proper typing techniques and avoid typing like me.
When selecting free typing programs I prefer tutorials and games that provide instant feedback about my typing skills, or lack thereof. Typing Web is one of those tutorials that provides instant feedback after every free typing lesson. Typing Web offers beginner through advanced typing lessons for free. You can register to track your progress or you can use Typing Web without registering.
Tux Type is a fun, open source, program designed to help young students learn touch typing skills. Students can play a variety of games which increase in difficulty as a student’s skills improve. Tux Type is available for Mac and PC.
If you’re looking for something for a typing program that doesn’t require software installation try the program from Sense Language. The program is web based, but is also available for use offline. The best feature of Sense Language’s typing program is the option of creating your own typing activities or using the standardized lessons. Sense Language’s typing program has useful timing options and audio feedback features to help students develop their typing skills.
Power Typing hosts a small collection of five typing games that students can use to develop their typing skills. Power Typing also offers typing lessons for Qwerty and Dvorak keyboards. The two games that I found easiest to access are Alphabetic Rain and See Don’t.
Good Typing is a free online typing skill development program. Good Typing provides 27 graduated lessons designed to help students learn to use their entire keyboards correctly. Unlike some free online typing programs, Good Typing offers support twenty different keyboard styles including US style, Japanese style, and several European languages.
