Friday, April 1, 2011

Open Source Software Review – Dance Mat Typing

Online Typing Review – Dance Mat Typing
BBC Schools

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

If you are searching for a great typing program to use with children and yes even adults, then check out Dance Mat Typing from the BBC Schools.  I like to use this web based software for typing with my students in Kindergarten and First Grade and to warm up my second grades in the beginning of the school year.  Grade one student’s transition to a lab based typing program halfway through the year. 

Dance Mat Typing begins with step by step in typing beginning with the home row keys.  I do not expect my Kindergarten children to use both hand and fingers on the home row, but I do expect them to type using both pointer fingers.  This is a great way for students to learn the keyboard at a very young age along with working on letter recognition.  One adaptation I do use with my Kindergarten students is to use masking tape to cover up the rows of the letters that we will not be using.

Overall I would give Dance Mat Typing 5 out of 5 Stars!

Photos Cited:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/
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8 comments:

  1. amyApril 1, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Thanks for the tip on this site. I love the character and the directions are easy enough my K5 students could easily do it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SueApril 2, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    This is fun and engaging with the voice and sound effects. I am going to put it on Jenneigh's favorites bar . . . doesn't hurt to sneak in some learning when she thinks she's playing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sharon's ScoopApril 2, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    You commented on the iPad article on my blog about schools letting students bring their own devices. I teach at an elementary school and we already allow students to bring Kindles, etc. After Christmas we had so many parents asking if their child could use them during reading and literacy time. We do have to have them sign a waiver.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sharon's ScoopApril 2, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Open Source has some great free programs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    On Friday, I spoke to our technology lab instructor (Her position is funded by our schools foundation). She mentioned Dance Mat as a site that her students love. She also mentioned PBS Kids.org and BBC Kids.org (This last one may be the wrong name) as some other good sites. One last one was T.V.O.Kids. Check them out when you have a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ctblesleyApril 2, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    This is such a cool site! I like the animation and sound effects. It certainly makes learning how to type fun! Too bad they don't have a smaller keyboard to fit the small hands of small children.

    ReplyDelete
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