Typing Program

If you use Linux, there's Tux Typing tutor

PopCap has a "game" called Typer Shark.

I went to school for Business Admin and had to do Typing on an old fashioned typewriter, and an electronic typewriter, and the layouts are different(I learned how to type on both a QWERTY and a DVORAK typerwriter, and type between 65 and 90 WPM)

Here's an online practice page that's similar to what I did in College:
http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html

Hope this helps.

My son is Dyslexic and I was looking for a program that would help him learn and keep him from getting frustrated in the process. This is what was recommended by Susan Barton because you can set the goals really low to begin with so the user doesn't get frustrated. No, this program is not Dyslexic specific. You may not want to use her exact setting recommendations if your children are catching on quickly. Please see the link and comments she provided below:

My favorite typing program is called Type To Learn by Sunburst Software.

It runs on both a Mac and a PC, and it is very inexpensive.

You can buy the Home version in most computer stores, or directly from Sunburst Software on their website by going to:
http://commerce.sunburst.com/product.aspx?p=91472

When it arrives, make sure it won't frustrate the student by changing its settings to Low Vocabulary, Large Font, 8 words per minute, and 70% accuracy.

Once they have gone through the lessons once, change the settings to Medium Vocabulary, Medium Font, 20 or 25 words per minute, and 85% accuracy.

Most students are typing between 30 and 45 words per minute by the time they've gone through the lessons a second time. And because the settings are different the second time through, the lessons seem entirely new.

Um, don't they use a computer keyboard?
That's how my kids learned, and they are all better/faster typists than I am!
They also had a short keyboard class during 4th/5th grade, on the computer, during their lab time in the library. It lasted maybe 6 or 8 weeks, once a week.
By the time they were in 5th grade they did all their writing assignments on the computer, using a keyboard.
They are now 19, 17 and 13 so this is nothing "new."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/
This site is great and is FREE.
Recommended by my daughter's Teacher.

The thing is, this site is fun.
And if your sons say it is "juvenile" well tell them- they don't even know how to type, yet. And they are 11 and 14 years old. SO their "ability" to type, is... juvenile.
Anyway, the older they get the more they need to learn to type. However they can. Because it will aide them per school tests which are on the computer and for doing homework/projects etc.
My daughter is only in 5th grade and LOTS of projects, require "typing" on the computer. And their tests, where typing "speed" is essential.

Or just Google Search "free typing websites."

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing for PC or MAC

One of the great & free link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Try this & Iam sure your kids like it it has dance version & non flash version too.

Do they not have that in school? My girls had it in elementary and middle school. It is called keyboarding. Check with your school system first before you fork out money. One of my good friends teaches it in her elementary school. It is required like muisic and art. Good luck and God Bless.

Do they not have keyboarding in school?

They start with the K's here with a program called Paws in Typing Town.

Each grade level has a program and its a part of the language arts program daily.

By middle school they don't have it unless you are in a specific course. In high school it is covered in BIM ( business computer skill class) and by senior high ( 11-12), most students have their own laptop ( mostly MacBook Pros) and they are used extensively for class work, communication with teachers, turning in assignments, etc.

I'm surprised your children's school does not have some sort of keyboarding because its essential.

Ask the teachers about programs as well.

Good luck!

I think there is a difference between keyboarding and typing. I agree with you M. that kids today have no clue what we are talking about when we say 'typewriter' which I admit is antiquated. BUT, learning to truly TYPE and not keyboard are 2 different things.

I learned to 'type' on an old manual typewriter where the keys were not lettered. We HAD to know which keys were which. I have no clue how fast I can type, again another antiquated measure. BUT I can tell you that my kids, while quick really don't know where and what the actual keys are, but just know how to keyboard and text.

There used to be an old computer program 'taught' by the Lion King characters that my kids used. I really haven't had to look in a very long time.

Good Luck.