News
EnglishType
06-01-2012
“You want to put wings on the heels of your children? Teach them to touch type. They’ll bless you for it in later life. Or they’ll hunt and peck like electro-chickens for the rest of their days.” John Sutherland, Professor of English Literature, University College London
This year, we are offering students the opportunity to learn to touch type. We believe it is an essential life skill for all children today, with computers now everywhere in all areas of academic, professional and personal life. In education, the amount of typed coursework required is increasing all the time, and it is likely that exams will be computerised in the future; children who can touch type will have a significant advantage. Using a keyboard without touch typing is like trying to write with a feather and a pot of ink - painfully slow! The program we are using is designed by an Educational Psychologist and brings additional literacy benefits too, particularly with spelling.
Although we have some lessons in the timetable, extra practice is particularly helpful to build the typing skill rapidly and having the software at home has been shown to be an excellent way to support learning. Ratcliffe College can now offer Home User versions of the software at a discounted price. Continuing your child’s touch typing practice at home will be helpful until they have completely mastered the skill. A little daily practice is the best learning method, if possible, but a general rule is ‘the more often the better’ if daily learning is not possible.
The Englishtype Junior is aimed at children in Key Stage 1 and 2 and the user friendly format helps them to pick up the key skills easily. The Englishtype Senior is for children in Key Stage 3 and beyond and is also suitable for adults to use.
If you would like to purchase a Home User copy for £19 (normal price is £29.95 or £44.95 for both) please return the order form below.
Please note: Englishtype is only available in PC version (not Mac).
Mr David Cluley Head of ICT
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