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Type to Learn vs. Free Typing Programs
How does Type to Learn stack up against free typing programs?
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Free Programs
Most free online typing programs are supported by advertising, which can distract students from their lessons, cause them to click away from the program and could potentially be inappropriate.
Type to Learn
Because Type to Learn is a paid program, there are zero advertisements. This keeps your students focused on the program, with zero chance they will get distracted and click off to an advertisers website, keeping your students safe and focused.
Curriculum
Free Programs
A lot of the free typing programs have a series of lessons, but no activities or assessments. Other free programs are simply typing games and don’t provide the necessary series of lessons.
Type to Learn
Type to Learn was originally developed based on research done by Dr. Leigh Zeitz and revised based on feedback from hundreds of teachers. The teaching methodology enforces proper technique, ergonomics and key location. The sequence of lessons has been proven as one of the best ways for young students to learn how to type.
Detailed Reporting
Free Programs
Most free typing programs will provide you with some reporting that contains the WPM and Accuracy of the student, but not much more, and they are only available online.
Type to Learn
Type to Learn has two main reports. The Status report gives you a quick view into how many lessons students have fully completed (including their WPM and Accuracy). The Detailed Report shows every lesson, activity, final challenge and assessment that was attempted and the corresponding metrics. All reports can be exported to Excel.
Customizable Settings
Free Programs
In our experience, most free programs don’t allow you to change many settings. The lessons and games are the same no matter what your age or skill level are. This can lead to the program being too hard or too easy for slow or advanced learners.
Type to Learn
Teachers can customize all Type to Learn settings for individual students and/or groups of students. Students can get individualized attention and custom settings. Typing goals can be manually changed, lessons or activities can be skipped and much more. We want to create the best possible learning environment for each individual student.
ESL Support
Free Programs
Aside from only a few free typing programs that support Spanish, you will rarely find the ability to translate the instructions and on-screen text into Spanish for those students who struggle to read English.
Type to Learn
Type to Learn has a built-in ESL setting that translates the on-screen text into Spanish. This setting can be activated for whole groups or individuals, just like all the Type to Learn settings. This can greatly improve the comprehension and effectiveness of the typing program for students that are still learning English as their second language.
Custom Content
Free Programs
It’s rare to find free typing programs that allow you to add custom content. Because of this, you’re limited to whatever vocabulary and passages they have entered in their program.
Type to Learn
The Custom Content area of Type to Learn allows teachers to upload any content they want their students to type. This not only helps to increase the difficulty of the typing, but also helps incorporate other subjects, such as Science, Health or Social Studies, into the typing curriculum.
Price
Free Programs
The $0 price tag of the free typing programs is attractive, and is what some families or schools need. Getting your students typing on a free program is absolutely better than not teaching them how to type at all.
Type to Learn
Type to Learn costs $39.95 for a one year Home license for up to three students. School volume licenses start at $3.35 per student. With typing being a skill your students will use the rest of their lives, it’s a small price to pay for them to learn touch typing from a scientifically proven keyboarding curriculum.
Customer Support
Free Programs
When a typing programs is free, they usually can’t afford live, in-person support. If they do provide support, it’s likely not high quality or takes too long to get a response.
Type to Learn
All Type to Learn subscriptions come with email support, and the school subscriptions come with additional phone support and implementation services. Sunburst wants your students to succeed, so we are here to help get your account up and running and answer any questions you may have.
Contact a Keyboarding Specialist Today
Call us at 800-356-3209 to speak with an account manager. Get a customized quote, schedule a demo of Type to Learn, or start your 30-day free trial.
