Typing Pal Junior Description:

Typing Pal Junior review:
3 stars (Problems) - This game makes typing fun and easy to learn. There are quite a few different ways to learn how to better your typing skills, from lessons to games. I would enjoy Typing Pal Junior if it weren't for the problems I've experienced with it.



One, other then a username my mom made, no more usernames can be created. I've tried many a different way to make one, but every time a little box pops up that says there was an error creating my username.



So, I decided just to use my mom's account...more problems. There are certain activities you have to complete, and each time you complete one, you get access to the next one. Well, my mom practiced a few times just to see what it was like, then I tried. The actvities were fun! I completed quite a few, then logged off. The next day I logged on, and I was back where I started. The only finished activities that had been saved were my mom's (It must like my mom). I was disappointed, but went ahead and re-completed most of those activites. Well, I logged off and logged on again, just to see what would happen, and sure enough, they were uncompleted. Never does the game mention having to save the game, and I haven't seen any "save" buttons.



Frustrated, I decided to try an arcade game that's supposed to help you practice your typing, and it didn't work. There was some kind of error there, too. I think I have to free up disc space or something to get it to work, but it's not THAT important that I'm willing to go through a lot of trouble for it.



Overall, I would say that the game has a good concept, and a fun way of teaching typing, but there are too many errors in the game, and I can't help feeling as though we were kind of ripped off.
5 stars (Great Typing Program for Beginners ) - I bought this software for my 5th grade daughter. She was a complete beginner and within a couple of weeks she was typing. I learned to type many years ago and I found this to be great for polishing up my skills. It is very easy to understand and lots of fun. There are different activites for learning, including some games and added exercises to practice one's weaknesses. There is a practice page, as well as a page dedicated to dictation. The program keeps statistics on your performance so that you can evaluate yourself. There are three different levels. The first is very lenient with speed and errors, but I think that is necessary when beginning. I am an experienced typist and I had a hard time keeping up with the second level (of course, I started out thinking it would be a piece of cake!). There is also a program called "the spy". It can keep track of your performance while on your word processor. Overall, I am very pleased!
4 stars (good, but flawed) - This software program is really good for multiple users who all want to learn to type; people who are working to better themselves through self-initiative. But it is very poor for parents who want to give their children a series of goals to meet to challenge them to learn to type. Here is why: 1) you can't go back and tell how well a learner did on passed lessons, and 2) the goals are set amazingly low (40 errors allowed! I could pass using my toes). The issue is control; if the student must exhibit something on the order of grades, it can't be done with this system. All other features of a good typing program are present.