Touch Typing Courses

[LaydeeC]

Could someone give me an idea of where to either buy a touch typing course of worth or access classes.
My 12yo daughter has been told by school that she might want to think about using a laptop in class (poor processing skills and difficulty getting stuff written down in any legible way) and the SENCo recommended that we think about a touch typing course.
Any recommendations/advice would be very welcome...

I think the BBC online has one (free)

For some typing tutors, you need to make a physical barrier so the DC's can't cheat! And you need to be religious in making them do it!

My Dyspraxic DS2 (13) learnt using Mavis Beacon software - it's very good. Amazon, I think. He uses a laptop in school all the time now - has made the world of difference both to his attainment and his self-confidence, so it's well worth exploring.

Pitman do them, I did mine with them and I can still touch type 15 years later. They might do them online now.

BBC website dance-mat typing is a good starting point - she might find it a touch childish but not too bad (it's supposed to be for up to 11s). Once you've worked out where all the keys are, the point is just to practice - she needs to do 15 mins/ half an hour or so a day - easiest just to type out stuff from a book or whatever.

If she does find it too babyish, good old Mavis Beacon might be the answer, though you do have to pay for that.

I'd definitely go for an online/at home course. I spent 6 miserable weeks of my summer holiday at St James and Lucie Clayton one year as a teenager learning computer skills. Ok, I can type, but honestly I wanted to punch the computer for most of the course. You really don't need to sit in a dingy room with an instructor for weeks on end-especially not in a finishing school ffs. (unresolved angst re. a lost summer of my youth?!)

Thank you all so much for the comments. I can touch type myself (learnt years ago whilst doing a 'secretarial course'!
I have heard of Mavis Beacon so will probably order and give it a go - will have to think of 'rewards' to encourage her...
thanks again - much appreciated

LaydeeC when our son (age 9) learnt to touch type (Mavis Beacon too) his reward was being able to use a laptop (or take his to school) at school. We were told that unless they could type at 25 words per minute it was often better to write. He did about 10 mins per day during a summer holiday and was a good touch typist by the end of it. He is far better than me now..

My very dyspraxic daughter did Mavis Beacon ... it works ... but make sure she learns to write as well. We were told to give up on our daughter writing when she was assessed at 7 ... but we persevered (10 years) and now she is legible!

I did pitmans years ago and could touch type ( abet very slowly) after a one day course then lots of practice to build up speed

If you have a Mac you can download Mavis Beacon as an App. I think it's much cheaper, but make sure you download the UK one not the US one.

More thanks for the further comments. The BBC link above provided a good grounding (and she really enjoyed working through the stages). I am going to order the Mavis Beacon package. I worked with someone who used it to learn to type and she was just as good as, probably better, than me.
Interesting about the MB app. We have an ipad (well her dad does) so may just mosy on over and have a look at that in the interim.
Thanks again for the input, it is really much appreciated

Moomin, this is something that I have raised with school. I don't want her to lose sight of the necessity to be able to write! I have emailed her school regarding this but have not yet received a response. I guess that, as the parent, it is incumbent upon me to make sure that she practices her handwriting at home daily. Does the stress of school ever go away - I thought, naively, that things would be better at secondary school. Oh lord, how wrong was I...

www.kaz-type.com download for reasonable fee.

www.sense-lang.org excellent tutor, typing test and games free.