Name: Heather L. Wilhelm
School: Hammond School
Name of package: Jump Start Typing

Vendor Name: Knowledge Adventure
Vendor Toll Free Phone Number: 1-800-542-4240
Grade Level: Ages 7-10
Subject-Area: Technology/Writing

Drill and Practice: yes
Macintosh: yes
Intel PC/Windows: yes
Memory Needed: 16 MB RAM
Type of Monitor: 486DX2/66MHzPC
Printer?: If you want to print
Disk (hard, 3.5, CD): CD
Other-Peripherals: Sound Card, Mouse, VLB Video Card

Instructional Purpose: The student will use typing skills to compete against an intergalactic typists in an Extreme Keyboarding Competition.
If the student does not want to compete, there is keyboard training.

Use: This software can be used to introduce keyboarding skills, enhance already known keyboarding skills, and publish written work. There are ten files provided for students to store work and print published pieces of writing.

Objectives Met: yes
Vocabulary Appropriate: yes
Content Accurate: yes
Free of Bias: yes
Learner in Control: yes
Proper Reinforcement: yes
Self-Directed: yes
Appropriate Sequencing: yes
Appropriate Sequencing: partially
Student Record Keeping: yes
No Distracting Sounds/Visuals: partially
Animation/Sound/Graphics Effective: yes
Uncluttered Screen: yes
Material Clearly Presented: yes
Easy Program to Load: yes
Simple Screen Directions: yes
On-screen Help: yes
Tutorial Manual: yes
Easy Printer Setup: yes

Strengths: The following are strengths I found: learn how to type, fun games, competition is good, set own goals, makes student work, option button on the toolbar allows the games to be harder or easier, the program adjusts to your typing skill level by monitoring your key progress and tracking problem keys, win medals, can practice without competing

Weaknesses: The following are weaknesses I found: takes a long time to get to the games, if you lose all power you have to type again before going back to the game, robot talks too much, strength bar controls too much of the game, even if you correct yourself you are still penalized, you have to take the timed tests to activate the power cards and this can take too long which may cause frustration

Recommendation: excellent

Comments: I liked how their were two ways to play.

1. Competition Mode: Builds keyboarding skills by doing lessons and timesd tests, playing the games, earning medals and helping Botley and Polly free Coach Qwerty

2. Practice Mode: Enables you to play games, take lessons and timed typing tests

Along with student progress, there is a parent's progress report that monitors keyboarding progress in a printable report.
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