Review of touch typing keyboard trainers

Having become acquainted with the basic teaching of touch typing, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of special computer programs created to help students. Keyboard trainer– a program, service or flash game designed to help practice touch typing with ten fingers. The variety of software offered, most of which is distributed free of charge, allows you to individually select the most suitable simulator with the ability to choose not only the level from beginner to advanced user, but also to customize the program in the smallest detail “for yourself.” Below we will present the characteristics and try to determine the pros and cons of the most popular keyboard trainers.

Training simulators

Keyboard solo (ergosolo.ru, nabiraem.ru)

Keyboard Solo is perhaps one of the most famous and popular keyboard trainers. The program is paid. In addition to Russian and English, training is also available in German. Among the undoubted advantages, we note the methodological support throughout the course (namely, a course, it is not just a simulator). These include recommendations on posture, the correct placement of hands and fingers, a motivating introduction to each lesson with tips, letters from clients and anecdotes. If desired, all this can be disabled. In general, the program has rich functionality. To add an element of entertainment to the routine of learning with Solo, the authors created a subsidiary site where you can check your typing speed and compete in this indicator with other people. Among the shortcomings (perhaps they are largely subjective) I would like to note a very long learning process. For people lacking patience and perseverance, completing the course completely will not be easy. There is often a joke on the Internet that this program is not only a training for touch typing, but also willpower. The ban on habitual typing while working with the simulator also seems inconvenient, especially for people who work with typing huge texts every day, as well as the inability to move on to the next lesson until the previous one has been completed.

Rating: 4.4/5

“ ” is a new generation of the once famous keyboard simulator “KeyTO”. The program is paid, with the possibility of free testing of the demo version. Modes – Russian, English, German layouts. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it uses a learning algorithm that is uncharacteristic of others. The developers promise that within an hour after the start of classes you will be able to type text blindly, because “VerseQ” teaches not the gradual mastery of pairs of keys, but orientation on the entire keyboard at once. The advantage of the simulator is that letter combinations and phrases are not repeated during typing. They are also built on the principle of real syllables that exist in the Russian language, and not a simple set like “shgshgsh”. Another plus is that the program “remembers” the mistakes you make and more often gives out combinations with the same combinations for more training. The interface is neutral and does not distract. The only disadvantage we can note is the lack of complete reference information on working with the program, which makes its development, to some extent, intuitive. Well, actually, it’s different from other programs, although this is rather a plus.

Rating: 4.4/5

"" is a free keyboard trainer developed by A. Kazantsev. It supports English, Russian and Ukrainian layouts. The interface is configured to be as user-friendly as possible. The training is step-by-step: first, lessons on memorizing the location and set of basic combinations, then phrases. The user chooses where to start and moves freely between modes and lessons. Some people will find dubbing funny, others will find it ridiculous. This is a matter of taste, especially if it is optionally customizable. Pros: convenience, ease of use of the simulator, clarity, built-in statistics, free, ability to customize the program for yourself (upload a background image and music). Among the disadvantages, ordinary people point to Stamina’s “tolerance” for errors. The correction does not mean that a similar mistake will not be made in the future, which is why “Solo” forces the entire line to be printed first, unlike Kazantsev’s “good-natured” simulator.

Grade: 4.5/5

Typing Master

“Typing Master” does not have support for the Russian language, but is included in our list as an excellent simulator for people who want to learn how to type in English, Italian, Spanish, German and French. The program is paid with the possibility of free testing. The training is structured, you can choose a mode: letter combinations, sentences, paragraphs. Among the advantages, we note the automatic repetition of the material if errors were made in it, detailed statistics with analysis of the keys that cause the greatest difficulty. There is a detailed introductory lesson, which explains which finger to press and which key. Among the disadvantages, we note the rigor of the program: it is impossible to choose between lessons, which makes the simulator look like a textbook, because the previous material is based on what has already been covered.

Rating: 4.2/5

Exercise equipment for children

As you know, children learn quickly, so a children's keyboard simulator will be useful for many parents, with the help of which the child, while playing, can learn the basics of touch typing. In this way, a useful skill can be developed from an early age.

"" is an excellent children's play simulator. The program for one user is free and is intended for teaching children of primary school age the ten-finger touch typing method. Among the advantages, we highlight the cartoon interface, game-based learning process, the ability to choose difficulty and a compass that shows how ready the child is for the next level. A negative impression is left by the inconveniently constructed control of the program, as well as help that is not “built into” the simulator.

Rating: 4/5

"BabyType 2000" is a multilingual children's gaming keyboard trainer. Despite the fact that it is designed as a game, it has support for 4 languages: Russian, English, German and French. Running away from monsters and various mechanisms, the main character overcomes obstacles made of letters that the child has to type. The simulator is good for its convenient controls, built-in statistics, and variety of levels. Despite its outward primitiveness, this is one of the best solutions for teaching children touch typing.

Rating: 4/5

Online trainers and games

Learning touch typing is not only about working with pre-installed programs where you need to correctly type the suggested combinations. It can be made varied and less boring by choosing and alternating from the many means created for this.

Race. On social networks and on individual websites, so-called “keyboard racing” has long been popular, for example, Clavogon. The essence of the game is to type the proposed text faster than your opponent and thereby bring your car to the finish line first. The competitive aspect will provide additional motivation to study.

. Popular online simulators that do not require installation on a computer are the already known “Stamina-online”, with slightly less functionality compared to the traditional program.

All 10. Also an excellent resource is “All10”. It contains both theoretical recommendations and a practical part for teaching touch typing, and also provides the opportunity to obtain a certificate.

Good luck in your touch typing practice!

Also read, which describes the advantages and basic techniques of teaching touch typing.