All-Star Typing

Copyright KBkids.com

All-Star Typing includes two CD's. The first is the older Slam Dunk Typing. The second is of similar quality, and involves the game of soccer. This program is no more impressive the second time around. The soccer variation is very similar to Slam Dunk Typing in quality and layout.

These programs are good for children who need to learn to type, but find other tutorials too classroom heavy, and dry. These will appeal to sports-minded kids who love basketball and soccer, but are tolerating the typing lessons. They are not the best typing tutorials on the market, but will appeal to this particular audience.

Each program revolves around a sports team. Your coach equates all aspects of typing to your favorite sports game. This will help many kids with the 'whys' of typing (why use the home keys, why use this finger when I like that one better etc.)

The program will teach each of the keys, and then work on speed, accuracy and typing rhythm. Most of these skills are taught with sports drills. For example:

• You must pass basketballs or soccer balls by typing letters.
• You must prevent your opponent from scoring by typing words

One of the problems tester found with this program was that words and letters are spread around the screen in odd places. One of the goals of a good typist is to keep his or her eyes moving ahead of what is being typed. It is the opinion of testers that these programs create some weird eye movement patterns at the expense of fun.

This is still an average program, with mediocre graphics. It will appeal to sports fans, but everyone else is better of selecting one of the higher quality typing tutorials.

Bottom Line: A mediocre program which includes a repackaged Slam Dunk Typing and a new Soccer variation which is also mediocre. Good for reluctant typists who like sports, however.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 2 1/2

BrainGain: 2

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 2

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