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27/09: Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Let's see how.
Category: General
Posted by: Product Manager
I was tempted to see the new Deluxe version of a classical typing tutor mainly because I looked through the list of features modern typing tutors should boast of and found that the first place is still with the classics.
Let me start with excellent finds.
First of all, I was pleasantly impressed with audio directions for the new users. It does create this intimate atmosphere the authors were obviously looking for.
The most evident power of the tutor is evaluation of the typist's level and work on problematic keys at all levels. A good trick is setting the speed you would like to reach and contrasting your results with the target speed.
The results are shown quite vividly, with visual graphs but only if you manage to find them in the menu.
The tasks are well-made and give you a chance to relax, to concentrate and to relax again. It sure works.
The drill-test structure is pretty smooth. The program even makes you practice until you reach a certain speed or accuracy limit. It proves to be very effective.
The features of custom exercises and digit drilling make a very good impression.
Now let's turn to the things that mar this picture.
The first thing to be mentioned is the design. Calling it dull and obsolete is no exaggeration.
The messages which follow each completed task are too monotonous and boring. It is a serious blow to the user's motivation and progress.
A slight attempt to make the whole process a bit more entrtaining is the games, but they can't boast of high gameplay either.
Whereas the tasks formed for intermediate or advanced typists are nice and unpredictable, the ones for novices are extremely boring and actually difficult. You feel no progress and have to work hard without any pauses to really advance. You have to make yourself go on with every new task.
Some minor details like 380mb of .exe file and lack of Dvorak support are to be also considered.
To sum up, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a good set of excellent features which failed to become a METHOD. However, it can be successfully used by highly motivated students, especially those who want to increase their typing speed and not start learning from scratch.
All the ideas here are my personal opinion probably not shared by other students and obviously not shared by the authors of http://typing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Let me start with excellent finds.
First of all, I was pleasantly impressed with audio directions for the new users. It does create this intimate atmosphere the authors were obviously looking for.
The most evident power of the tutor is evaluation of the typist's level and work on problematic keys at all levels. A good trick is setting the speed you would like to reach and contrasting your results with the target speed.
The results are shown quite vividly, with visual graphs but only if you manage to find them in the menu.
The tasks are well-made and give you a chance to relax, to concentrate and to relax again. It sure works.
The drill-test structure is pretty smooth. The program even makes you practice until you reach a certain speed or accuracy limit. It proves to be very effective.
The features of custom exercises and digit drilling make a very good impression.
Now let's turn to the things that mar this picture.
The first thing to be mentioned is the design. Calling it dull and obsolete is no exaggeration.
The messages which follow each completed task are too monotonous and boring. It is a serious blow to the user's motivation and progress.
A slight attempt to make the whole process a bit more entrtaining is the games, but they can't boast of high gameplay either.
Whereas the tasks formed for intermediate or advanced typists are nice and unpredictable, the ones for novices are extremely boring and actually difficult. You feel no progress and have to work hard without any pauses to really advance. You have to make yourself go on with every new task.
Some minor details like 380mb of .exe file and lack of Dvorak support are to be also considered.
To sum up, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a good set of excellent features which failed to become a METHOD. However, it can be successfully used by highly motivated students, especially those who want to increase their typing speed and not start learning from scratch.
All the ideas here are my personal opinion probably not shared by other students and obviously not shared by the authors of http://typing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
