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Dance Mat Typing
Pros: Bright designs, silly songs, and varied characters keep each stage fresh.
Cons: Limited gameplay hurts replay value, and there is no way to skip through the long songs between levels.
Bottom Line: A useful introduction for students ready to type, but afterward they will need further practice.
As with other forms of computer-assisted typing instruction, Dance Mat Typing can be used by the whole class or one student. Since it's free and available on the web, it also doesn't require costly or time-consuming software purchase and setup. The game works best with students who are ready to type and who want to learn an efficient way to do so; unfortunately, the game might not be exciting enough to win over indifferent students. Dance Mat Typing could easily be a stand-alone station or could be split by stage into a daily warm-up activity to help students gain fluency with typing for other forms of digital production. For some students, there would be some value in repeating the game once or twice after the initial completion, but for most students, it would be better to move on to a bigger typing challenge once this game is mastered.
The website has additional materials explaining why it's important to learn how to type. There are also links to other computing lessons, so students can carry their learning further in terms of computer science, internet safety, and more.
Dance Mat Typing is a free online game that teaches kids to touch-type using the home-row method. Students progress through 12 stages within four levels (three stages per level) that slowly build the number of keys they're expected to master. The lessons begin with practice of individual keys and then move to short words and sentences that are made only from the previously practiced letters and characters. With each completed exercise, students receive praise and unlock musical numbers sung by that stage's animal host. Every stage reflects a different geographic location.
There's no penalty for making a mistake in the game, though the game pings students with every error. When they're all done with each level, students can print out a certificate of accomplishment that lists the mastered keys, and students can keep practicing by typing passages and getting feedback on accuracy and words per minute.
For students who take to typing, the game's pace and colorful design can make for a fun way to practice. But apart from rote repetition, there's little here to help struggling students. Students with smaller hands may get frustrated at the emphasis on not looking at the keyboard. Several heavily accented characters might be hard to follow for ELLs and students with auditory processing needs who are better addressed by less-accented speech. Dance Mat Typing offers accessible and introductory typing practice, but teachers may want to look elsewhere for something more directed, engaging, and comprehensive with more extensive practice.
Though it's best to do the lessons in order, students can jump around to any level or stage, depending on what they want to practice. While the game covers most of the keyboard keys, it won't do a complete job teaching students to type. That being said, although students will need additional typing practice after completing all the levels, Dance Mat Typing is still a fantastic introduction to the typing keyboard, and it will begin preparing the students who use it for more difficult typing challenges and practice found elsewhere.
Learning Rating
Community Rating
Fun, engaging, and easy for young children to use and learn through!
I love this website so much and would continue to use it for any elementary school classroom, or for teaching students with disabilities. It is entertaining and teaches children quickly and effectively. I especially like that there is an option to have the keyboard on the screen, and it points out what key you selected, and whether it was correct or not. Super fun and would recommend to any teacher that does not already use it, or for people who need practice typing in general.
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