Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Typing Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Typing tutorial software features and instructions should be easy to find and simple enough for computer beginners to use.

Feature Set

Typing tutorial software should offer a wide variety of features for multiple skill levels and should offer a generous number of lessons, practice drills and tests.

Ease of Installation

Typing tutorial software should be easy to install, should not require you to install several programs and should not cause errors during installation.

Help/Support

Typing support tools should be complete, straightforward and easy to find.

Features

Target Age Group

The Manufacturer suggests this as the software's recommended age group.

Lessons

Number of Lessons

The number of learning lessons provided in the typing software. An "NA" in this category means that this information was not available.

Number of Practice Sessions

The number of practice sessions available within the typing software. An "NA" in this category means that this information was not available.

10-Key Lessons

The number of 10-key lessons that the typing software offers. An "NA" in this category means that this information was not available.

Speed Building Lessons

Exercises or drills offered by the typing software to increase typing speed.

Accuracy Building Excercises

Exercises or drills offered by the typing software to improve accuracy.

Left Hand Lessons

Lessons or drills offered by the typing software that target the keys associated with the left hand.

Right Hand Lessons

Lessons or drills offered by the typing software that target the keys associated with the right hand.

Individual Finger Lessons

Lessons or drills offered by the typing software that target individual fingers or keys.

Graduated Lessons

Lessons or drills offered by the typing software that focus on individual words, sentences and paragraphs.

Guide Hands for...

Guides offered by the typing software to demonstrate correct finger position for a keyboard.

Tests

Initial Skills Level Test

The typing software offers a timed pretest that determines your skill level and assigns a beginning lesson.

Warm-ups

The typing software offers exercises to prepare you for a timed test.

Number of Tests

The number of timed tests the typing software offers.

Timed Speed Tests

Typing tests offered by the software to determine the rate at which you can type.

Timed Accuracy Tests

Typing tests offered by the software to determine how accurate you are at typing.

10-Key Tests

Typing tutorial software lessons or drills that target 10-key practice and/or practice using the numbers on the top row of a keyboard.

Create Custom Tests & Timings

Tests offered by the software that can be customized by altering length, or by importing your own material.

Results & Progess

Words per Minute Results

A calculation performed by the software of your total words per minute typed.

Accuracy Results

A calculation performed by the software of your typing accuracy rate.

Adjusted Words per Minute Results

A calculation determined by your words per minute rate and the number of mistakes made during a given time period.

Auto Save Results on all Activities

The ability for typing software to save the results of your timed tests, lessons and other activities automatically, from one session to another.

Progress Reports by Key, Finger and Hand

A report based upon your typing results based on individual key skills, fingers, either hand or by each row of keys.

Graphs: Bar, Line & Stacked

A visual depiction of your progress while using the typing software, typically offered in the form of bar graphs, line graphs or stacked graphs.

Printable Results

The ability to print out your calculated typing results.

View Progress Results on Screen

The ability to view your calculated typing results on your computer screen.

Certificates of Achievements

A certificate verifying your specific time and accuracy typing skills that the typing software makes available for you to print.

Practice Material

Number of Practice Articles

The number/variety of practice articles available with the typing software. An "NA" in this category means this information was not available.

Import Custom Practice Articles

The ability to import other articles or your favorite text into the typing software.

Create Custom Practice Articles

The ability to create your own practice material by typing the material into the typing software manually and saving it to your hard drive.

Download Additional Practice Material

The ability to download additional material from the manufacturer's website for use in the program.

Games

Number of Games

The number of games offered by the typing software.

Keyboard & 10-Key Challenges

Games or challenges offered by the typing software targeted towards 10-key development.

Multi-Level Play

Games offered by the typing software that contain multiple levels of play, some of which also keep track of high scores.

Customize/Personalize

Customizable User Options

The typing software offers options that can be changed to fit the user's needs, like: keyboard styles, sound, music, font size etc.

Create Custom Drills

The typing software allows users to change the drills to better fit their needs.

Add Sounds for Correct/Incorrect Keys

The program will allow you to change the sound or turn the sound off/on for correct/incorrect key strokes.

Audio and/or Video Dictation

The typing software provides an option for you to type spoken words or words that appear through video.

Add Your Own Music

The typing software allows you to import your favorite music into the typing program. Several programs already include several optional music choices.

Download to Palm OS Handheld

The typing software allows you to download your information to handheld devices so that you can continue your lessons on the go.

Adjustable Text Size

The typing software allows you to change the size of the text for easier viewing.

Multi-Language Support

English

The typing software supports this language.

French

The typing software supports this language.

Spanish

The typing software supports this language.

Italian

The typing software supports this language.

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