Bytes of Learning ~ A Review

Over the past weeks two of my kiddos have been working their way through learning how to type using the UltraKey Online Family Subscription from Bytes of Learning. This program is ideal for students aged 8 and older. 

Some of the key features that make this program unique:

• instruction is voice supported
• self-paced
• depending on age and preferences a variety of interfaces are customizable 
• lots of practice is included in the program
• challenge material is included to motivate the student
• game zone
• placement tests to place student right where they need to be
• positive reinforcements along the way
• program tracks students progress
• works well for all ages, not kiddish
• sets goals for students that can be adjusted
• operated on all major browsers
• extremely affordable
• user friendly
• fun

There are several ways that a user can set goals for themselves in the program:

1. The manager (teacher) can set the goals
2. The user can set their own goals
3. The program can set goals for the user
4. The user can take goal assessments

If the user chooses to utilize the goal assessments they are in the form of one minute typing tests. The student completes the test, the program automatically assesses and assigns goals. 

Both speed and accuracy goals are kept track of on the student's progress report. The clipboard has all of your students information right at your fingertips. I was extremely impressed by the graphs and information provided by the Bytes of Learning program. It was extremely comprehensive and detailed. 

Here is an example of the detail that you will get. This is the My Progress.

One of the ways that the program is extremely user friendly is that the student only had to scroll over any given item on the screen and an explanation box will pop up explaining exactly what can be found in each section. The student doesn't have to click around trying to remember where to do what. I love this!! Most programs have an introductory video and the student has to remember where and how to go within the program. Bytes of Learning takes the hassle out of having to remember all of that. Need a refresher on posture, no problem. Simply click on the posture icon and review it all over again. Everything is laid out in a very user friendly manner. 

Students can customize their screen background, keyboard, and even details such as the hand skin tones displayed on the screen. 

Our Experience

Soon after we got access to our subscription one of my kiddos ended up in the hospital. This put a temporary hold on one of my daughters typing which she was not too happy about. I was a bit concerned about how this would affect her progress but the laptop needed to come with me. Once my daughter who was in the hospital was stable and feeling better I decided that I would get her started on typing. She didn't have a lot of energy and so I thought maybe typing would be a good alternative since it didn't require much intense thinking. She is in middle school and types in her "own way" as you could say. She is known to type a one or two page paper in her iPod, lol. Texting fingers are mighty fast. Needless to say, she needs to learn how to properly type. She was shocked at how fast she progressed in a short amount of time. 

My 11 year old has used several typing programs over the past couple of years. After using this program she said, "This program is by far the best one that I have used. Other programs teach the keyboard really fast and expect you to then type a passage within a short amount of time. This program goes slow and actually teaches to learn. I haven't gotten frustrated and have actually had fun learning how to type. My progress my be slow but my progress reports constantly show improvement which means that I am doing well." 

Step by step your child will learn how to type. 

Students are given certificates of achievement when they have completed all of the skill checks and lessons for the goals set. 

Once the students have completed and graduated they can then go back in and set new goals and continue on with new goals with higher wpm. 

Once the craziness in our house dies down a bit my 9 year old will be starting in on her own typing journey too! 

Dare to Enter the Game Zone!

I was extremely impressed with Bytes of Learning. Over the years I have both purchased and reviewed many typing programs in order to teach my children how to type. We have used one of the more well known programs on the market and I would definitely say that Bytes of Learning is far superior to that program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a great typing program for a child, teenager, or adult needing to learn how to type or needing to improve their typing skills. 

To read more reviews click here.

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