When you’re choosing a typing program for your elementary school or district, you want to make sure you’re getting the best option for both your students and teachers. Many web-based typing programs on the market today include features like progress tracking and colorful graphics, so it can be hard to tell what’s different between products.
Below, you’ll find some useful features to look for that can help you determine which elementary school typing program is best for your school:
1. An adaptive typing program curriculum
Trying to teach typing from a standardized, non-adaptive curriculum doesn’t work very well. Not every student will be starting with the same level of typing experience, and different students are likely to struggle with different keys.
Choosing an adaptive elementary school typing curriculum that uses AI to determine students’ individual proficiencies is the best way to help each student reach their potential. Everyone can learn at their own pace and focus on the skills they need the most help with, leading to better overall learning outcomes.
2. ADA-compliant learning features
Your elementary school’s typing program should be accessible for every student you serve. Unfortunately, not every typing program was developed with all students in mind. It’s essential to double-check that your school’s typing curriculum works for students with different abilities and needs.
The best online typing programs include ADA-compliant features for students with a variety of needs, including closed captioning, larger and dyslexic-friendly fonts, screen readers, and one-handed typing options. Make sure the program you choose includes these options.
3. Typing program incentives for both younger and older elementary school students
The same graphics and incentives that younger students enjoy are likely to be the ones that older students find cringe-worthy. If your typing program isn’t geared toward your students’ grade levels and ages, you’re likely to end up with many students feeling annoyed, awkward, or disinterested.
For elementary schools, the best option is usually to choose a program with at least two different curriculum options: one for younger elementary students and one for upper grades. That way, both your first graders and fifth graders are more likely to enjoy typing class.
4. An ad-free typing program that is appropriate for elementary school students
Advertisements are disruptive, distracting, and can sometimes be harmful to children. It can be tempting to choose a free typing program for your school, but these programs usually make their money from ads that your students will see. If you have the budget for a premium typing program or can find a way to get financial assistance, we highly recommend choosing a typing program without ads.
5. ELL and foreign language typing program features
Accessibility is about more than ADA compliant features. Some typing programs go the extra mile to make their curriculum more accessible to English language learners.
Many ELL students in the United States speak Spanish as their first language, so it makes sense to choose a typing program with the option to provide instructions in Spanish. A Spanish language option can also help students who are learning Spanish to practice typing and thinking in their second language.
6. A typing program that introduces code or teaches coding keyboard patterns
Coding is a crucial skill for many in-demand and rapidly growing jobs, especially in our extremely technology-dependent, post-COVID world. It makes sense to encourage students to learn the basics and practice typing code, especially if they’re already completed their typing goals.
While it’s not an essential part of your school’s typing curriculum, coding integration is definitely a plus. This feature might just help your school educate the next Bill Gates or Grace Hopper.
7. Typing games that engage elementary school students
Typing on its own just isn’t very exciting. When you add in the fact that kids have short attention spans, it’s easy to see why gamified typing programs are more likely to keep kids engaged.
Look for a typing program that includes a combination of game-like incentives and actual typing games. Your students will be more likely to keep typing, and your teachers will love the detailed progress tracking features that are often built-in.
Are you looking for an elementary school typing program that includes all these features? Check out Typing Agent today. Our individualized and engaging curriculum was designed by highly qualified curriculum designers and developers.
We know you’ll love teaching with Typing Agent!
