Typing is a necessary skill, but it's difficult for most of us to work up much enthusiasm for typing lessons. Typing Instructor for Kids uses an island theme and a colorful parrot named Lafitte to get kids jazzed about the process.

Learning to type is actually secondary in this title. The real goal is to become ruler of Typer Island; typing is just the means of getting there. On their way to world, or at least island, domination, kids will visit five different locales, including Underground, In The Air, and On The Ocean.

Each locale presents a series of challenges, in the form of typing lessons cleverly disguised as arcade-style games, that kids must successfully complete in order to advance to the next locale. Each locale also focuses on specific skills. For example, the Old West focuses on the home row keys, correct finger placement, and accuracy. On The Water introduces the other rows of keys, as well as increasing speed and accuracy. In The Air builds on the skills that have been covered so far, and helps kids build confidence and a steady typing rhythm.

Despite the fun atmosphere, Typing Instructor for Kids imposes some typical school-style restrictions. In particular, you must complete all of the lessons in one locale before you're allowed to visit another. While this might make sense in terms of learning skills in the proper order, some kids may find this restriction frustrating.

The island castle might seem like the ultimate goal, but if kids are up to the challenge, they'll discover that the castle offers additional game-based lessons, and the chance to practice by typing some of their favorite nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Once kids get to the castle, they can revisit their favorite games and activities, but it may take an awfully long time (or at least feel that way) for some kids to get there.

Typing Instructor for Kids includes three proficiency levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced), hundreds of lessons, 11 games, and more than 30 tests.

With arcade-game lessons, Typing Instructor for Kids teaches all specific skills needed to learn how to type.

Pro: Colorful and fun-filled adventures take some of the work out of learning to type.
Con: The forced linear progression of the activities may be frustrating for some kids. The time it takes to achieve a goal and earn a prize can seem to drag on too long.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Individual Software Inc.
4255 Hopyard Road, #2
Pleasanton, CA 94588
800-822-3522
http://www.individualsoftware.com