I found this game/package to be most useful, as my typing skills are not up to scratch. I use the most effective, but not so efficient 'hunt and peck' so I was more than happy to come across this game. The cost of registration is US $15, which is more than resaonable and would go no where near to covering the costs for the manafacturer. At the start of the ganme you are asked to keep the demonstration for 30 days and then either pay the registration or trash it. This $15 is only for use on a home computer, although the company, Sunmoon USA has a special deals for schools (Primary or Elementary) wishing to purchase the software. The cost then comes to $5 per computer at a minimum of $50. The cost has been kept to a minumum by the company, and when you compare this cost with the educational value of the package the equation is quite clear. The children will find this fun and educational as I did, and with a bit of practice they will be touch-typing in their stories and assignments. At first I found the game a bit hard to follow, but then I read the instructions and it became crystal clear. It turned out I only had to press the 'start' button. The game took all of about 10-15 minutes to download, but it was well worth the wait. ____________________________________________________________________

Variables

This game has so many options. It caters for differences in keyboards, allows practice on the number grid, it works for smaller monitors and also black and white ones (for a small fee of $3.00). The keyboards that the game caters for are Qwerty, Dvorak, French, German, Japanese and Chinese only to mention a few. The game itself had a few different faces. Your basic typing tutor, as well as a race type game where you go thorough various levels trying to type fast enough so as to run away from either tortises, dogs or babies (yes nappies and all). There are a couple of different levels and games speeds for the experienced as well, which makes for a quite interesting challenge. ____________________________________________________________________

Software Operation

After the first phase of confusion, I found the package quite easy to use. There are step by step instructions to guide you through, if you decide to take notice of them that is. The game offers many different files, for example, a read me file, files for the various keyboards, registration page etc, etc. Find the file with a bunny head on it, this is Al Bunny, and he will be your tutor throughout the game. After passing all the pages and messages asking, more like begging you to pay the registration you enter Al Bunny's Typing Tutor (see picture below). Toggle the speed from very slow to very fast, and type away. A letter will come up in the middle of the screen, you are then expected to type it in taking as little time as possible. From here you have a few choices, like going to a different game, which is called the race game(see picture above). This allows you to race against a number of opponants. The computer predefines a set of characters, starting from simple ones which are easily accessible by the fingers, tp character which are more of a stretch. Your opponant gets a bit quicker everytime you complete a set, and the computer automatically moves you on to the next level.

____________________________________________________________________

Observation

For a grade 4/5 student, I would not expect a fast typing speed, I would expect them to use mainly one hand using the old 'hunt and peck' method, which was about where Johnny is in regard to his typing skills. Although after a week or two I would expect him to be using both hands and atleast trying to look up at the screen as often as possible.

Johnny was captured by the graphics and sound at the start of the game which got his attention and kept him focussed. This was a good start, now I knew he would be keen to come back and use the package again. His typing speed was slow but consistent, and he soon grasped the concept of the game and found his name in the high scores section. This is a good incentive, as the children were always keen to knock up a high score. Johnny had three 5-10 minutes sessions in the first week and I could see his confidence growing and overall keyboarding skills improving by quite a way. The second week of the program revealed a dramatic improvement in both confidence and skills once more. His speed, accuracy and overall computer use have increased almost double as a result of the program. I will be sure to introduce this as part of my regular class routine, not just for Johnny, but the whole class. ____________________________________________________________________

---

---