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/