Homeschool Typing – Top 3 Curriculums

Why Homeschool Typing? 10 Benefits, 3 Curriculums, 8 Requirements

Homeschooling can be a huge challenge for both parents and learners, but it has many benefits. Parents quickly find out that their children need to learn to type effectively to progress quicker.

That is why so many parents include a homeschool typing program in their curriculum. So, where do you start? Which features and outcomes are important? This post outlines crucial requirements and three suitable homeschool typing options to set up a class easily.

Homeschool Typing – The Benefits

I agree that many people nowadays think it is a waste of time to learn how to type faster. We may think that the hunt-and-peck technique seems fast enough or passively develops a sufficient performance through our daily use of technology. But, there are many benefits to learning it, and it is easier than you may think.

• Much faster speeds (60 or more words per minute).
• Less time spent switching attention between keyboard and on-screen text.
• Much higher accuracy rate – ergo, less editing.
• Improved productivity (more time for other things).
• Better posture thus reduced fatigue and improved health.
• Greatly enhanced ability to concentrate on the content.
• A higher level of self-confidence.

Typesy Homeschool	KAZ Family	Ultrakey Family
Price: from $67	Price: $/£74.95	Price: from $49.95
Visit Website | Info	Visit Website | Info	Info
★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Homeschool Typing – Top 3 Curriculums

1. Typesy Homeschool

Typesy Homeschool (view website) addresses the full curriculum prescribed by the National Common Core Education Standards. Besides, it is designed to comply with the science of muscle memory and structured repetition. It can be used on any computer or device, regardless of the operating system used.

Target Audience – Because the product makes provision for different competency levels, it is suitable for children of all ages that are schooled at home. Parents often prefer this course because it features extensive administrative tools and is the only one particularly designed for homeschooling.

Key Features

• Highly structured and efficient video lessons.
• Multiple users at different proficiency levels are allowed.
• All records stored in the cloud and accessible anywhere and everywhere.
• 17 fun games to reinforce newly learned skills.
• Self-testing and feedback available at all times.
• Automatic adjustment of tests and lessons to adapt to every child’s progress.

Administrative Tools – Parents can easily set up accounts and monitor the progress of each child online. Problem areas can thus be identified quickly. Parents can also set goals. A number of reports allow for the efficient management of multiple learners. It is possible to set up multiple classes. All reports and statistics are available at all times.

Grade: Children and adolescents from 1st-12th. Adults.
Info: View website.
Rating: ★★★★★
Pricing: $67 Homeschool Family | $97 Big Family | $197 Homeschool Co-op

2. KAZ Family

KAZ (view website) is a BETT Finalist 2019 and is one of the best homeschool typing curriculums available. The core concept is to teach the keyboard within 90 minutes by applying a unique and scientific learning method. The Family Edition is ideal for homeschooling parents and consists of an Adult and Junior version.

It can be downloaded or used online on any Mac or PC. Each purchase includes five user licenses and it is up to you to opt for Junior, Adult or a mixture of versions for each license (many teenage learners may prefer the adult version).

Target Group – Anyone from the age of six upward can use this homeschool typing curriculum. Parents and teachers will love the Administrator’s Panel that allows them to manage their learners’ progress. A multi-sensory approach using touch, sound, and sight, including graphics and animation, makes the Family/Homeschool edition accessible to many learners with special needs.

Key Features

• Five structured modules, each building on the other.
• Short lessons to ensure concentration and to prevent boredom.
• Multimedia approach accelerates the learning process.
• Constant feedback and opportunities to measure progress.
• No repetitive practice sessions using the same words and phrases.
• Vocabulary Builder helps learners to improve their language skills.
• Compliant with GDPR. No ads. Improved data security.
• Also available as Dyslexia Family

Administrative Tools – It is easy to monitor each learner’s progress and access their test results. If you use the online version, you will also have access to the powerful Administration Pack that contains motivational materials and the tools needed to monitor every homeschool typing student’s speed, accuracy, and progress.

Grade: Children and adolescents from 1st-12th. Adults.
Info: View website.
Rating: ★★★★★
Pricing: $74.95 Online | $119.95 Download Mac/PC – 5 Users

3. Ultrakey Family

With their Ultrakey Family edition Bytes of Learning set out to raise the bar for homeschool typing curriculums. Choose a suitable pricing option that allows for three, five or eight user accounts with a parent or teacher account thrown in for free. It will run on Windows and Mac browsers, Chromebooks, and iPads.

Who is it for? – Children from as young as seven have improved their skills with this typing software program. Parents that offer to homeschool choose it because it boasts efficient management and monitoring tools. The efficient use of multimedia may help learners with special needs to use the Ultrakey productively.

Key Features

• Animations, graphics, voice and video all enhances the instruction.
• Game Zone improves typing, reading and writing skills.
• Twelve easy-to-follow lessons, each followed by a skills check.
• Instant feedback directly related to objectives set by individual learners.
• Repeat lessons and skills checks if necessary.
• Diplomas of achievement issued upon completion.

Administrative Tools – Powerful yet easy-to-use, the management interface allows homeschooling parents to create user accounts, set goals, and monitor progress. A wide variety of reports can be generated too. Parents particularly like the comprehensive user manual that makes the tool easy to use and that contains numerous practical tips on how to make the homeschool typing process exciting.

Update: Bytes of Learning is currently out of business and does not sell this version actively. However, the tool is still around and might be used without issues.

Tips to Set Up A Homeschool Typing Curriculum

What Exactly Is Touch Typing?
It would be challenging to set up a homeschool typing class without knowing what that curriculum should be teaching! In essence, touch typing means that each of your fingers has a particular area on the keyboard. With practice, each finger will automatically press the keys necessary to generate the text. This means that a person no longer looks at the keyboard but rather at the screen.

Choosing a Curriculum – Considerations, Requirements

Ages of the Learners – Experts agree that as soon as a child has mastered the alphabet, it is ready to learn to type. However, young children may struggle with the vocabulary and lengths of some lessons. If the learners are of different ages, it may be best to select a homeschool typing curriculum that offers both junior and adult versions.

Learners with Special Needs – Learners with ADHD, poor eyesight and problems with their motor skills will do better with courses that efficiently use multimedia in their lessons. Some curriculums even have special versions for learners with dyslexia and other conditions.

Administrative Tools – Efficient homeschool typing requires efficient administration. Therefore, it is important to choose a curriculum that will give the teacher the ability to monitor progress, access statistics, and set goals.

Learner Interaction – Learners, especially younger ones, quickly become bored with repetitive exercises and a lack of feedback. Courses that constantly interact with the learner by giving feedback, suggesting additional exercises, and gently pointing out strengths and shortcomings may help to keep learners motivated.

Reviewers’ Opinions – Take the trouble to read a few objective reviews of the classes under consideration. Reviews by those already running a homeschool or educational experts are particularly enlightening. Comprehensive reviews that compare the various curriculums with each other can also be beneficial. Keep in mind there are hundreds of offers out there but only a handful (see above) that actually meet all educational, safety, and privacy standards.

Trial Versions – Many homeschool typing products allow you to download a limited trial version. It may be well worth your while to try them out. Even better: to have your home scholars try them out! Preferences differ.

Technological Issues – Many products are available as both online and download versions. If your learners need to access lessons from different devices and locations, an online edition where all records are stored in the cloud may be a better option. If internet access is limited, a downloaded version may be the best bet.

User Interfaces – Ungainly user interfaces have been the downfall of many otherwise excellent tutors. It needs to be intuitive, and the intended target group of a specific class must never struggle to log on, navigate, find bookmarks, or access records.

Other Useful Tips

Setting Goals – Every learner is different, and it is a common mistake to set unrealistic goals for them. When learners consistently fail to achieve the goals set by their tutors, they become disheartened and demotivated. Start slowly and set realistic goals. As the learner progresses, involve him when setting new goals.

Keyboards – Learners who use mobile devices such as iPads and tablets that feature on-screen keyboards often struggle with standard and homeschool typing curriculums. Consider buying a separate keyboard.

Independent Practicing – Learners that practice their newly acquired skills independently from the formal homeschool course often do better. Encourage them to write short stories, blog, and write chatty emails to their friends without ever looking at the keyboard. There are also fun online games that require keyboard skills.

Lesson Duration and Frequency – Experts agree that lessons should never be longer than 30 minutes. With younger children, they should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes. More than three lessons per week may become onerous.

Homeschool Typing – Summary and Verdict

Is it worth it to teach learners from an early age how to touch type? YES, without a doubt. The ability to type quickly and more accurately while concentrating on the text rather than the keyboard is valuable. This skill will stand learners in good stead throughout their lives.

Reviews – Homeschool Typing curriculums such as KAZ or Typesy meet many different learning needs and preferences while providing excellent technology and monitoring features to organize and conduct exercises, drills and activities.

These are excellent solutions that cater to every conceivable target group. Homeschooling parents will almost certainly reap the benefits of teaching their learners how to type properly.

Are free tutors recommended? Yes and no. It is certainly a good way to try things out before going more structured. The main issue we see for homeschools here is that those services are not fully GDPR compliant, and you might end up with your private data being used for commercial purposes. Furthermore, they are often not ad-free, and the methods used might not correspond to the latest research.

Engage – What are your thoughts and experiences about homeschool typing? Please consider sharing your opinion either by email or the contact form below. If you have any questions, please use our contact form.