BP5_2009102 Web 2.0 Tools - TypingWeb.com

(Photo from Microsoft Office Clipart)

There is such a variety of Web 2.0 applications, that it surely seems that there is something for just about anyone.

I chose to look at three tools that I could use in my current teaching assignment. First, I tried to find something that could be used right away with not much effort on my part, the student’s part, or by the technology staff. I decided to take a closer look at typingweb, at typingweb.com.

TypingWeb is both a program and a service. It has different programs available to use, some are free while others do have costs involved. I looked at the free tools available. The web site has a variety of practice lessons based on both your current typing skill level and also special interest areas like numeric keypad training and practice.

I could seen TypingWeb being used in my current situation as both an occasional change of pace for students once or twice a week for a few minutes, to a more formal use and have students that have little or no typing skills to start at beginning lessons and continue through the intermediate and advanced lessons as their skill improves.

It appears that there is more advanced options and recording score possibilities and further lesson options with the paid version. This might be a very viable option if a school was currently teaching keyboarding in the classroom or if the school was looking to add this instruction. This may be a much better solution than the traditional typing/keyboarding option of purchasing textbooks or traditional software packages.

This is also a tool that once introduced, students would be able to use not only in school but at home also. With more and more emphasis being placed on the use of computers and using the Internet as a important part of how education is developed, the ability to type is playing a more vital role in education than at any other time.