Actual Game
Typing Tutor 71-Click Install
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The Game
Typing Tutor's goal is to help its users improve speed and accuracy. The program consists of lessons and tests. Once past the beginner level, the user can choose to practice on selections from interesting literature, or on stories about old movie clips. Speed and accuracy may also be built, using three games, two of which our reviewers found captivating: an arcade-style game reminiscent of the old SDI game, where the user must protect cities from descending "word bombs" -- correctly typing the word launches an interceptor; and a word search game, where words are hidden in a block of letters.
Typing Tutor is a good example of an intelligent interactive program. Users start by identifying their typing experience level (beginner, hunt & peck, etc.), then the program selects a learning path whose pace and direction is based on the user's demonstrated speed and accuracy. The program also knows a few tricks. "I've always cheated a bit, stealing a quick look at the keyboard," admitted one of our reviewers. "Typing Tutor made that impossible in some lessons and tests, by using nonsense words and phrases." The program captivates a user's attention, particularly children who wanted to improve their existing typing skills. The program's use of over 100 1990s era literature and movie clips makes the requisite "drills and tests far less tedious than the typing class I took in junior high," according to our parent reviewer.
Typing Tutor is a great program for anyone - including adults - interested in improving their typing skills.