Publisher - Flix Production ( http://www.eden.com/~flixprod)
Author - Tom Guthery IV.
System Requirements - PC 486 - 33 or better.
256 colours or better.
Windows 3.1 or 95.
640k RAM.
Value Judgement:
Animated Beginning Typing is a tutorial program aimed at teaching children how to type. It has three separate learning activities, Jumping Letters (Beginners), Letter Drill (Intermediate), and Flying Letters (Advanced). It uses animated 'critters' to make learning fun and acts as a reward for the child.
The cost of registration for Animated Beginning Typing is US$14.00. The registered version features 15 additional 'critters' ,the ability to customise the program so that it features the names of the students and of the school as well as allowing the saving of report results. For this relatively low price the teacher is supplied with an effective typing tutor that children would find easy and enjoyable to use.
Animated Beginning Typing comes in ZIP format. It is equipped with a self-installing program that is automatically triggered when unzipping the program.
When the user begins the program they are greeted by the main menu. This displays the three afore mentioned activities as well as a typing tutor and an option to quit the program. Selecting an activity is achieved by using the mouse. Each activity is self-explanatory with the use of on-screen prompts. A keyboard is also displayed on each activity. When a child is having trouble locating the correct letter the keyboard will indicate where the letter is.
Click here to see the Main Menu
Documentation and Framework:
Accompanying the program is a read-me file detailing the basics of each activity. As well as basic instructions regarding navigation of the program. However, there is no inbuilt help option. To refer to the read-me document the user is required to shutdown the program. This is frustrating and one of the few negatives of the program.
There are several adjustable variables which apply to all activities. Each activity itself is designed for a certain level of typing proficiency. Within each level the teacher or user can define the amount of characters to be typed, the speed with which they appear as well as the section of the keyboard. And, of course, the user can determine what type of 'critter' they can use for their typing activity.
Operating Animated Beginning Typing:
When the user begins Animated Beginning Typing they are greeted by a title screen followed by a copyright and shareware disclaimer. Both of these screens can be exited by pressing any key on the keyboard. This takes the user to the main screen which allows the choice of the three activities, a step-by-step typing tutorial or to exit the program. The mouse is restricted to the area covering these five buttons thus eliminating user confusion over what they are meant to click on.
'Jumping Letters' is designed for very young students and can be played at any pace. Ten letters are the maximum amount availabel for this excercise. They all appear on the screen. Each correctly typed letter is rewarded by the letter being removed by the animated 'critter' chosen by the pupil. When ten letters are completed the child can then view a silly cartoon.
Click here to see Jumping Letters
'Letter Drill' allows students to choose between 20 and 120 letters to practice as well as what part of the keyboard the letters will be taken from. It is similar to 'Jumping Letters' except faster and uses more letters. The 'critter' does not remove each letter allowing the student to type at a faster speed. A report is generated at the end of the practice showing words per minute, errors and time. The last letter in the sequence is removed in a silly way by the 'critter', then the pupil is rewarded with another cartoon.
'Flying Letters' is an arcade style game for advancd typists. The speed of the game is determined by the player (and can be changed any time during the game). The letters proceed from right to left across the screen and must be typed before they collide with the critter. When all the letters have been typed a funny animation is displayed.
Click here to see Flying Letters
The Typing Tutorial is an animated lesson in correct hand placement, which fingers to use for each letter and gives tips on what not to do. It is recommended that students view this tutorial before proceeding with any games.
Click here to see Typing Tutor
All three games allow the student or teacher to choose a group of letters ( such as left hand home keys), or to practice all 26 letters. A diagram of the left and right hands shows the user which finger they should be using to type each letter. The animation in the program is achieved using stop-motion animation, as well as other techniques.
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