Typing Agent and Typesy are both popular typing programs for schools and districts. Since both options have many helpful features for kids, teachers, and administrators alike, it can be hard to decide which one is right for your students.
Below, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each keyboarding curriculum so you can make an informed decision for your students’ tech education program.
Typing Platform and Intended Use
Typing Agent is a web-based K-12 keyboarding curriculum. Students, teachers, and administrators can log in from anywhere they have internet access.
Typesy has a web-based platform, but also is available as a Chromebook, iPad, or Mac/Windows desktop app. The curriculum is designed for grades 2-12.
Typing Agent vs. Typesy Typing Lesson Customization
Typing Agent has a highly customizable curriculum. Teachers can “plug and play” and have the program adapt to each student’s individual proficiencies, or they can create their own curriculum with the hands-on customization options.
Like Typing Agent, Typesy allows students to learn typing in an individualized way. However, teachers have fewer customization options, including limited ability to customize the tests. A common user complaint is that teachers can only change goals and settings by class rather than for individual students. Overall, Typing Agent wins in this feature category.
Foreign Language and ELL Features
Typesy courses are only available in English, although the keyboarding curriculum supports mutliple keyboard layouts that are typically used by non-English speakers. On the other hand, Typing Agent’s keyboarding curriculum is available in English or Spanish. Spanish-speaking students can use Typing Agent without a language barrier, or Spanish and English language learners can boost their language skills while they practice typing.
Typing Agent is the clear choice for schools with a substantial Spanish-speaking population, although Typesy may be a better choice for English-speaking typists who are learning outside of the United States.
Digital Literacy and Coding
Typing Agent includes lessons in digital citizenship and typing code. The digital citizenship curriculum includes superhero-themed videos, interactive quizzes, and teaching resources. Typesy does not include either of these features.
Integration With Core School Subjects
Typesy includes over 4,000 typing lessons that cover science, social studies, English language arts, math, and other common core standards in typing practice sentences. There is also spelling list support. Typing Agent does not include either of these features.
Student Engagement and Gamification
Both Typing Agent and Typesy use gamification, incentives, and healthy competition to keep students engaged in typing. Students can build points and levels, work on their avatar, play games, and compete to be on a leaderboard or hall of fame.
Typing Agent vs. Typesy Reporting Features
Both typing platforms include extensive reporting features. Students’ typing speed and accuracy are constantly recorded, and educators can access progress and utilization statistics for individual students or classes at any time. However, Typing Agent has more customizable reporting options.
Typesy is more test-based and allows teachers to create their own semi-customized tests. Typing Agent is less test-based and tracks typing competency and progress as students practice.
Based on these features, Typing Agent appears to be the better choice for educators who prefer more comprehensive, customizable reporting options, while Typesy is better for those who prefer to use formal exams to track progress.
Teacher Support and Integration Features
Both Typing Agent and Typesy sync with Google Classroom, Clever, Classlink, Microsoft and advertise strong customer support. Typesy additionally allows teachers to create and import their own lessons with Wiki Connect or 500 eBooks.
Typing Agent has live and pre-recorded webinars, Solution Center articles, an on-demand video library, and the option to connect with the customer support team via in-app chat, phone, or email during school hours. Typesy provides unlimited 24/7 phone support. If your teachers prioritize around-the-clock access to a customer support team, Typesy has an edge, but Typing Agent’s additional support options may be better for teachers who prefer not to wait on the phone for help.
Typing Agent vs. Typesy Accessibility
Both typing programs have some accessibility features. Typesy includes voiceover and mouse-free options, while Typing Agent includes ADA-compliant features such as one-handed typist, closed captioning, voiceover, and dyslexic font. Overall, Typing Agent appears to be the most accessible option for many differently-abled students.
In Review: Which Typing Program is Right for My Students?
Both Typing Agent and Typesy have a few features that the other program lacks. Typing Agent has more accessibility options, ELL/foreign language support, lesson and reporting customization features, and digital literacy curriculum, while Typesy integrates more with core school subject material, focuses more on formal tests, and includes 24/7 phone support. Pricing varies for both typing programs, so it’s hard to say which option is more affordably priced for your school or district.
The best option depends on your educational needs and priorities. We wish you the best as you choose a keyboarding curriculum for your students!
