Typing Software Reviews
Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz
The Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software has long been gaining popularity among children and adults alike. Perhaps what has made it so well-known is that a number of generations have used it to learn how to type both on their own and at school.
|
The Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software aims at being engaging even for adults who are looking to improve or build their typing skills by introducing games and interactivity. However, children need special attention and a bit of a different approach. As an answer to the needs of that niche, there are also Mavis Beacon programs especially designed for children. |
 |
See more Touch Typing Software ReviewsTyping Software with Typing Games for Kids and Reviews |
|
While the software intended for adults is a bit more serious and depends primarily on one’s ability to establish and follow personal goals, the children’s software is a lot more fun and engaging. The manufacturer’s main idea has been to promote learning how to type without any forcefulness, but rather with the help of games and other interesting activities. In this review, we aim to deliver an objective description of the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software by examining specifications provided by the manufacturer, as well as customer reviews.
Who is it for?
The Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz typing software has been designed specifically with children and tweens in mind. The manufacturer has described the software as suitable for children ages 7 and up, but that should not be viewed as a strict limitation. The software might not be too well suited to teenagers, as it has a strong emphasis on games and other activities that might not be engaging enough for that age group. However, the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software is appropriate for tweens (between ages 10-12) and could be a fun addition to your child’s game set. The program has been designed for young people who would like to improve their keyboarding skills or learn how to touch type from scratch.
|
What can definitely be viewed as an upside to the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software, is that it aims to build children’s motivation for learning how to type. After all, nobody enjoys dull, theoretical lessons and that is especially applicable to children. |
 |
It is always easier to learn when the primary activity feels like something light and fun, which is what Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software has attempted to do by using relatable characters and an interesting, yet realistic plot to their learning program.
What is the method?
The Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software is a game at its core and so it uses characters to stimulate your child into getting engaged with the program, while typing more frequently and with better success. The main characters in the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software are a boy and girl named Mavis and Dex, who have an after-school job at a movie concession stand. They are having a difficult time dealing with all the customers in between shows and would like some help with the orders. Once your child has learned the keys from A to Z, he or she will be able to assist Mavis and Dex, all the while combining games with typing.
Another positive aspect of the character usage in the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software, is that while your child is learning how to type, Mavis and Dex are there every step of the way. The manufacturer’s goal is to boost children’s confidence and reassure them of their own capabilities, which is certainly a very positive approach to learning.
What does the software include?
|
The Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz features additions intended to help you child learn how to type faster and with less errors. Even though the software closely resembles a game, it is a learning tool after all and there are practice lessons and progress tracking. |
 |
Still, the manufacturer has decided to use progress tracking by individual keys, which means that your child will be moving forward at his or her own speed, without being rushed or compared to others. The detailed curriculum map would help both you and the child that will be using the program to navigate through it and gain a better understanding of what has been achieved and what is left to do.
The Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz features more than 250 keyboarding lessons, including 10 keys. Learning 10 key typing can be very useful not only for school, but also throughout your child’s entire life, so that can be viewed as a positive aspect of the software. Additionally, there are more than 200 practice session topics, which your child can use to improve his or her skills.
|
If you would like to positively reinforce your child’s learning, you can make use of the printable awards that he Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz has stored within the program. |
 |
Similar to the adult versions, the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz can be customized, primarily by the means of music selection. Children can also engage in 10 typing games aimed at entertaining them while stimulating the learning process.
View typing software versions at Amazon
Mavis Beacon KeyBoarding Kidz by Encore Software
CD ROM software for PC/ Mac or Universal
Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz PC or MAC [Download]
by Encore Software
What do users think?
Interestingly enough, all user reviews for the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz are either very positive or very negative, with literally no middle-ground.
Some parents rave about the great success they’ve had with the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz Typing Software and share how their children enjoy spending time on the keyboard with the software. Happy parents explain that their children love the program and feel challenged by it. Overall, customers who like the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz software say that is a fun, easy and inexpensive way to learn how to type.
On the other hand, there are also many parents who believe that the Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz is not at all suitable for children and is too confusing. Some feel that the lessons and arcade games are too dull and are not able to engage children. Others are disappointed by the many similarities between the adult version and the children’s version. In the negative spectrum, parents described the software as “disappointing” and “a waste of money”.
Tech Specs:
There are some minimum system requirements, which are as follows:
Windows® XP (Home & Pro) SP3, Windows Vista® SP2, Windows® 7¹, Pentium® III 700MHz or higher (1GHz processor for Windows Vista® & Windows® 7), 128MB RAM (1GB RAM for Windows Vista® & Windows® 7), CD/DVD-ROM drive, 300MB free hard disk space, Video card with 32MB of video RAM, 800×600 24-bit color display (1024×768 resolution recommended), Windows® compatible sound card, speakers, keyboard & mouse.
Macintosh® OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6, PowerPC® G4, G5 or Intel® processor, 800MHz processor or higher, 256MB RAM, CD/DVD-ROM drive, 300MB free hard disk space, Video card with 32MB of video RAM, 1024×768 24-bit color display, Speakers, keyboard & mouse.
Administrator privileges are required to properly install the program on Windows® XP, Windows Vista®, Windows® 7, and Mac® OS X.
NOTE: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is required to view and print the User Guide. If you do not have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer, you can download a free copy from the Adobe® website.
View typing software versions at AmazonTyping Software:
Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz [Download]
by Encore Software
Platform/Media: PC Download – Mac Download – PC/Mac Disc.
Video Game:
MAVIS BEACON KEYBOARDING KIDZ SB (WIN XP,VISTA,WIN 7/MAC 10.1 OR LATER,UB)
by Encore – Video Game
 |
Test Your Typing Speed Online NOW for FREE on our Free Typing Test Speed Calculator |
See more Touch Typing Software ReviewsTyping Software with Typing Games for Kids and Reviews |
|
More from Tests Tests Tests.com
