The Typing Coach REVIEW

For about the last 6 weeks we have been working on The Typing Coach Online Typing Program by The Typing Coach. My 7th grader really needed to master keyboarding and this program seemed like the perfect fit.  One of the key components in this program is mastery of the keyboard.  It is a fairly simple but effective program.  It consists of 7 lessons and includes practice tests, before and after snapshot, and 4 typing tests.  It is of course an online program (it's in the name) and has links to print the student packet and learning checks (and many other pdf help documents).  The 7 lessons include:

• Having Good Posture
• Home Row
• Top Row
• Bottom Row
• Shift Keys
• Typing Practices
• Number row

Typing Coach Student Packet

Typing Coach Learning Checks packet

You might think what else is there?  Only 7 lessons?  Well, as I said, the program is about mastery.  You are not allowed to move to the next lesson or step until you have mastered the one you are on.  It really is effective for producing very accurate results.  It's not just how fast you can type but to do it with absolute accuracy.  As you work through the lessons you will have practice tests and one extra feature of this program is the Learning Checks.  Learning checks are lessons that involve not looking at the keyboard OR the screen.  You listen to the audio and type.  This really helps with your accuracy.  I am a veteran typer and found these challenging.  I found out that I am used to typing fast and correcting my mistakes as I go for the most part.  This program is all about not wasting time on your mistakes because you are striving for accuracy and excellency in your typing.

There is also so much more to this program than just the 7 lessons.  When you log into your account you will see all kinds of support and instruction videos.  There is a video on the Typing Coach Method Explained and a Teacher Resource Center.  Within the Resource Center you will find:

• Quick Start Instructions
• Guidance for Teachers
• Playing Audios While Typing
• Progress Chart
• Explaining the Process (video)
• Modeling the Process (video)
• Younger Ones
• Special Needs/Ed

Just to name a few.  There is an entire section of helps on slower paced guidance for those that find the regular pace a little much (younger children, struggling learners, and special needs).

Teacher Resource Center

Slower Paced Lessons

The course is designed to be completed in about 10 weeks if you work through one lesson per week (which would include times for practice tests and typing tests, thus 10 weeks).  In one of the videos in your account he states that if you work every day for about 20 minutes a day, you can complete the course in a month.

I worked through some of the program and feel that it is a well rounded program that will not only help you to type but also with a great deal of accuracy. Your speed continues to increase as you continue to practice.  It is not a "fun" program per se, but it is effective.  My reluctant 7th grader was difficult to get through this program and we are still working on it.  If you have a student that really does NOT want to learn typing, this is probably not the program for them as far as encouraging them through and making it fun like some other programs we have tried.  That being said, I do recommend this program for someone who really wants to learn how to not only type well but accurately (which is key in typing speed).

You can connect with The Typing Coach on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Please take the time to look at reviews on The Typing Coach Online Typing Program by The Typing Coach at the link below.