How Can Teachers Use It?
Not recommended for classroom use due to objectionable content and frequent ads.
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What's It Like?
Type Racer is more a game about advertising other apps and less a game about typing fast. Objectionable content within the quotes make it appropriate only for older kids, and typing without the shift key (no uppercase/lowercase or colon/semi-colon differentiation) may not transfer well to real-world touchscreen typing. The app is not compatible with external keyboards. Type Racer gives kids short, witty (and potentially inappropriate) quotes to practice touchscreen typing to build speed. Errors aren't accepted, so kids will have to use the delete key to fix mistakes before finishing a quote. They'll then see their WPM (words per minute) average and best WPM. To see the Leaderboard, kids have to link to their Facebook account.
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Is It Good For Learning?
The more kids practice typing, the faster they'll get, and this app may help with that process. Unfortunately, it won't give kids a complete picture of the process or the tools involved. Kids need to know the QWERTY layout of a touchscreen keyboard before they use the app, since there's no in-app instruction on the subject. Moreover, kids won't get to practice with the shift key, as it's not included as an option. The quotes are funny and make practicing fun, but the content (including movie quotes and stand-up comedy) is not appropriate for young kids. Some quotes include violent undertones: For example, one jokes that if you give a man a match, he'll be warm for a short period, but if you set him on fire, he'll be warm for years. Another quote from Hannibal Lecter of Silence of the Lambs mentions eating a man's liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. Humorous quotes contain some sexual innuendo, and quotes from comedians like George Carlin and Bill Maher are a bit racy; mentions of Madonna and Paris Hilton are also strewn with sexual content. Plus, the game is constantly interrupted by ads, making it an okay choice for practice but ultimately a bad fit for the classroom. If you do recommend this to kids, do so with clear ground rules and clear instructions for teacher or parent supervision. In general, though, there's enough questionable content here that teachers should look elsewhere for an app that fits their students' needs.
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Kids read passages and retype, word by word.
After each round, kids see their WPM score and overall WPM average.
No continuing past mistakes. Kids must delete and retype.
High scores are shared on the Leaderboard.
