Return to site

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Classroom

broken image


Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Original author(s)Norm Worthington,[1]
Walt Bilofsky,
Mike Duffy[2][3]
Developer(s)The Software Toolworks
Initial releaseLate 1987; 34 years ago
Stable release
20
Operating systemmacOS, Windows
Platformcross-platform
LicenseProprietary
Websitemavisbeacon.com
  1. 8 hours ago  If you weren't being taught proper keyboarding technique by way of Mavis Beacon, there were other options on the market. Mario Teaches Typing was one such game, and it.
  2. Here you can play game Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing! Dos in browser online. This game is classified as Educational. If you like it, leave your impressions in the comments. And also share with.
  3. Designed by educators, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Powered by Ultra Key uses a success based approach to typing instruction. This powerful and motivating way to learn provides a clear path to learning a new skill by setting personal goals and progressing along guided roadmaps.
  4. Like most of the other typing tutorials on the market, it offers classroom-style lessons, typing tests, and typing games. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is available as a Deluxe Edition ($19.99).

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is an application software program designed to teach touch typing.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing offers an unbeatable learning experience.

History[edit]

The typing program was initially released in late 1987 by The Software Toolworks and has been published regularly ever since. The original version was written by Charles R Haymond, an independent computer programmer living in Berkeley California who later worked for the Department of Homeland Security.[4] The first version written for MS-DOS was created by Norm Worthington, Walt Bilofsky, and Mike Duffy.[2] Editions of Mavis Beacon are currently published by Encore Software (hybrid Mac and Windows) and Software MacKiev (macOS only) and are available throughout the retail sales world. Mp3 audio cleaner. An early version supported both QWERTY and the alternative Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout. Later versions supported only QWERTY until the 2011 Ultimate Mac Edition from Software MacKiev which returned full Dvorak keyboard lessons to the product. Earlier versions were made for Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family (version 1 only), Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Palm OS (version 16), and Amiga. The current[when?] Windows and Mac versions are published under the Broderbund trademark by both Encore and Software MacKiev.

Features[edit]

A typing game in Mavis Beacon featuring car racing (Windows version).

The program includes a number of speed tests and constantly tracks the user's words-per-minute typing speed. It also includes a number of typing games of which some versions have been included since the first release. (The 2011 Ultimate Mac Edition for macOS, published by Software MacKiev, also includes two-player competitive typing network games, integration with iTunes, Dvorak keyboard support, practice typing song lyrics, RSS news feeds and classic novels.) A certificate of achievement can be printed by the user upon the completion of tests.

Name[edit]

Mavis Beacon is not a real person. The original photo of Mavis Beacon was of Caribbean-born model Renee L'Esperance. She was introduced to Les Crane, the former talk-show host, while he was shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Crane, who was then a partner in The Software Toolworks, invented the sobriquet.

Mavis Beacon's first name was taken from Mavis Staples, lead vocalist for the Staple Singers. The surname derives from beacon, as in a light to guide the way.[5]

Reception[edit]

A favorable review[6] in 1987 by Peter Lewis, technology writer for The New York Times, gave the program an early boost.

Compute! favorably reviewed the program in 1989, stating that children, adults, and experienced typists would find it useful, and citing its support of Dvorak training.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^Norman Worthington: Executive Profile & Biography, Bloomberg, ..One of Mr. Worthington's earliest ventures was Software Toolworks, one of the first highly successful consumer software companies..
  2. ^ abBiersdorfer, J. D. (31 December 1998). 'Next They'll Say Betty Crocker Isn't Real, Either'. The New York Times.
  3. ^Walt Bilofsky's Home Page - Software Publisher, .. I was one of three programmers who designed and created the perennial software hits The Chessmaster and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing..
  4. ^Codex Gamicus:Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  5. ^MACKLIN, William (November 19, 1995). 'Supertypist Mavis Beacon Is A Creation Of Marketing'. Seattle Times.
  6. ^Lewis, Peter H. (17 November 1987). 'PERSONAL COMPUTERS; Feedback In Typing Program'. The New York Times.
  7. ^Randall, Neil (January 1989). 'Mavis Makes It Easy'. Compute!. p. 70. Retrieved 10 November 2013.

External links[edit]

  • Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Encore (Windows and Mac editions)
  • Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing by Software MacKiev (Mac OS X edition)
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mavis_Beacon_Teaches_Typing&oldid=990755500'
Mavis beacon teaches typing download for pc

A review of 7 of the best typing tutors for Mac and Windows

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Classroom

A review of 7 of the best typing tutors for Mac and Windows

Touch typing skills are very useful when it comes to improving job chances, writing, brainstorming ideas or communicating with friends.

To increase typing speed a professional training course is a good idea which can be a seminar or comprehensive typing tutor. We review 7 of the best typing software.

Best Typing Software 2021 – Most Popular

Go To Website
from $9
Video Tutorials
Windows, Mac
★★★★★Go To Website
$/£29.99
A-Z in 90 Minutes
Windows, Mac
★★★★★Go To Website
$29.99
Adventure Lessons
Windows, Mac
★★★★☆Product Info
$39.95
Adult Teaching
Windows, Mac
★★★★☆

Updated: Typing Software 2021/01

All typing software reviewed in this post are suitable to learn to type faster. They offer basic and advanced typing classes. However, they differ in price, features or different approaches such as video tutorials or the ability to upload and design own classes.

1. Typesy

Typesy (visit website) is touch typing software for Mac, Windows, Chrome and Linux and matches all learning levels and ages. Some of the best features include video tutorials, creating own lessons, importing training material, group learning, multiple user accounts and cloud services.

Students often review it as a typing tutor that is very intuitive to use. This is mainly due to Typesy backing on strong scientific research that resulted in specifically designed exercises and 7 strategic typing techniques.

This effective eLearning system is already known from other eReflect programs, which is the company behind this tutor. Apart from videos, these methods include expert-created classes, adaptive learning techniques, exercising with family, using own material for practicing, multilevel games and progress tracking.

Benefits
  • Easy to use
  • Video tutorials
  • Expert lessons
  • Create own lessons
  • Advanced progress tracking
  • All levels, all ages
  • Affordable price
  • Homeschool edition available
  • 5 users, unlimited installs
  • Automatic updates for 3 years
General Info
  • Price: $9/month
  • Certificates: Yes
  • Rating: 5/5 ★★★★★

Good to Know

  • Track indicators require familiarization
  • online access required

Who for? – Typesy Typing Software fits beginners and intermediates. You can start from scratch or run an advanced typing class to boost speed and accuracy. eReflect claims that students will learn to type faster with just 7 minutes of training per day.

Classes – A beginner class consists of video snippets to first grasp the training idea and secondly to try your skills with one of the built-in typing exercises. It all starts with the left-hand ASDF exercise and moves on to include the right-hand JKL; keys.

Easy Learning – Games help to keep motivation and to learn intuitively. For advanced users, the software offers a bunch of speed typing classes to improve finger movements or the option to upload articles and create own classes with imported material.

Homeschooling – The homeschool license (visit website) allows parents to team up and organize and monitor students and their children's progress through the same school admin interface as that of the EDU version.

Note: Even the best typing software does not replace exercising: Practicing is the key to success and to increase speed in the long run.

Features

  • 7 learning methods, adaptive learning technology
  • Video instructions and built-in training units
  • Expert-created lessons and activities for all levels
  • 517 lessons and online activities
  • Fun typing games, activities and group learning
  • Choose goals, track progress, customize learning styles
  • Use web articles for best typing drill units
  • Create or import typing lessons
  • Track your progress. Triple speed guarantee
  • 5 user accounts. Unlimited installs on Mac, Chrome, Windows, Linux
  • Access tutor from everywhere. Cloud storage.

Modern Interface – The UI consists of a horizontal bar for settings and performance tracks and vertical navigation for courses and exercises. Typing courses include Beginners Classes and Advanced Courses for accuracy or speed building training.

Verdict – Due to its intuitive approach, video tutorials and expert lessons, Typesy easily makes it onto our list of the best typing software tutors. It's suitable for all wanting to increase speed quickly and also for those who need to improve accuracy. Recommended for the family thanks to its multi-user account feature.

Price: from $9/month. Visit website.
Info: First 7 days free. Cancel subscription anytime.

2. KAZ Typing Tutor – Home Edition

KAZ Typing (Keyboard A to Z) (visit website) is a popular typing software tutor in the US, UK and Canada and promises you that you will learn to touch type within just 90 minutes. The Home Edition is available in three different versions; Junior, Adult and Family, making it suitable for professionals, adults, students and children alike. There is also a dyslexia version for students with special learning needs.

About – KAZ takes a multi-sensory approach to typing and is based upon the latest research into accelerated learning methods using brain balance and muscle memory. You will, therefore, learn faster and more effectively too. The designers have also steered away from boring and repetitive typing exercises and seemingly pointless tests.

The course – The software course is very well structured and consists of five modules. After the third module, you will have mastered the A – Z keys. The fourth module covers all the other keys and the final module presents you with innovative challenges aimed at increasing your speed and accuracy.

Dyslexia tips – There are also numerous tips and additional media and information that can help those with special needs, even dyslexia sufferers. If you like to challenge yourself you will like the fact that a full history of your speed and accuracy is kept. Audio tuition with both the USA and UK accents is available.

Benefits
  • Accelerated learning methods
  • Multi-sensory learning
  • Learn keyboard A-Z in 90 Minutes
  • User guides: video, PDFs
  • US and UK keyboard options
  • 5 Course modules
  • From age 6 to 99
  • Adult, Junior, Family editions
  • Dyslexia edition available
  • CPD Business version
  • Mac, Windows, Mobile friendly
General Info
  • Price: from $/£24.99 (view here)
  • Rating: 5/5 ★★★★★
  • City & Guilds certification available
  • Bett Awards finalist 2019

Good to Know

  • Adult license 1 user
  • Family edition 5 users
  • Desktop edition locked to computer
  • Online license valid 1 year

Other Features – There are other highlights worth to mention such as retraining your fingers to eliminate bad typing habits, multi-sensory settings (sound, text, audio description), speed and accuracy training and tracking and most importantly UK and US-based keyboards with different accents and vocabulary,

Editions – The Adult Online edition is the most affordable license to get started with KAZ typing software and valid for one year. The desktop Mac/Windows version is valid for 10 years, however, it is locked to the workstation KAZ is installed on. The Family Edition is available as an online (browser) or desktop version and includes five separate user accounts. It is suitable to set up homeschooling classes.

Verdict – KAZ Typing has been a Bett Awards finalist and is most certainly one of the best typing software these days. It is easy to use and more than a million satisfied users worldwide must tell you something. It's suitable for schools, businesses, organizations and individuals alike thanks to their customized editions.

Pricing: from $/£24.99. Visit website.
Versions: $/£24.99 Adult Online | $/£39.99 Desktop | $/£74.99 Family Online (5 users)

3. Typing Instructor Platinum 21

According to the NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Typing Instructor Platinum by Individual Software (view product website) has been one of the best-selling typing software.

Thanks to its adventure focused approach, the program is a well-established tutor for beginners, intermediates or advanced typists running on both Windows and Mac. Suitable for children, students and adults.

Exercises – While speed exercises and accuracy lessons will benefit the more advanced typist, the focus on keyboards, numbers and symbols will suit the beginner.

Games – Typing games are a popular way to intuitively increase speed, but also to understand the concept of the home, bottom, and top row. Last but not least, a warm-up intro will guide the typist through the most important concepts of speed typing.

Travel scheme – A very interesting and fun feature is the option to experience travel adventures. As a student, you will leave the typical classroom behind and get on a thematic adventure.

This way you will intuitively learn to type be it on a trip around the world, on a photo safari or traveling through time. Typists start from the Travel Port and make their way through several time zones around the globe.

It's all about visiting interesting places, winning game challenges, posting high game scores or collecting time stamps, visas or photos for your virtual passport.

Benefits
  • Mac & Windows Support
  • Travel and adventure lessons
  • Easy to use
  • Create Own Lessons
  • All levels, all ages
  • Cheap price
General Info
  • Price: $29.95
  • Certificates: Yes
  • Rating: 5/5 ★★★★☆

Good to Know

  • Limited warm-up exercises
  • No video tutorials

Practice – Those focusing on practicing, there are also around 20 lessons, 20 tests and 30 games and more than 250 practice sessions and article exercises. The latter can be created individually.

Similar to Typesy Typing, the Platinum version also allows downloading extra material to be used with the Typing Instructor Software. The kicker is the option to add music to your own typing plan.

Tracking – Whether you learn to type by playing games, practice through exercises or follow a self-structured plan, this typing software will assess and track your pace and check your progress constantly. See your words per minute at any time, but also explore which of your hands is faster in typing. This way you can identify your strengths and weaknesses and see where to train with higher priority.

Install Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

Features

  • Travel adventures to learn typing playfully
  • Multi-Play, Multi-Level Games Set
  • 20+ Typing Plans
  • 100+ Professional Lessons & Tests
  • Progress Reports and Monitoring
  • Dynamic Learning Approach
  • Create individual learning plans
  • Access material on various subjects (sports, entertainment, medicine)
  • Comprehensive help and support package via phone, web and FAQ

Verdict. All in all, Typing Instructor Platinum is a comprehensive typing program for all ages and levels. On the pro side, you will find an intuitive approach, a well-designed interface or motivating travel adventures offering lots of fun.

Though there are some intros, the warm-up section is a bit thin and there are no video tutorials as found in Typesy typing software. Go for Typing Instructor Platinum if you like the travel-learning concept, but can skip the video learning approach.

Apart from the Platinum edition, the Typing Instructor platform also comes as Typing Instructor Deluxe or Business. Licenses are also available for schools and non-government organizations.

Benefits of professional typing software
We usually require good typing skills for office work, writing, software programming, captioning, medical transcriptions, data entry and processing, customer service or secretary duties.

We may also communicate faster in social media, increase our salary or avoid health issues such as bad posture or inflammation. The best typing software 2021 should teach/deliver/share these skills, benefits and tips.

Price: $29.95.

4. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

Mavis Beacon has been successfully teaching typing techniques for more than 25 years. The same-named software edition is also one best typing software tutors available and targets adults wanting an individual or personal approach to software learning.

This typing software for Mac and Windows is easy to use and offers all features and strategies to achieve improvements within two weeks' time.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing benefits those wanting a strict step by step guide to increase typing pace, accuracy or to improve 10-key skills.

Students start as beginners and level-up through 44 lessons, 430 exercises, assessments, customized lessons as well as 16 multi-level arcade-style games.

Benefits
  • Expert lessons
  • Individual Lessons
  • Assessments and Tests
  • Create Own Lessons
  • Games
  • Mac OS ready
General Info
  • Price: $39.95
  • Certificates: Yes
  • Rating: 4/5 ★★★★☆

Good to Know

  • no phone support
  • no video tutorials

Leveling up – Learners, however, need to pay attention to detail when completing lessons and exercises as the typing software only allows them to level-up after finishing them successfully. You will simply be asked to repeat the lesson until you gain enough accuracy and speed.

Tests – The 14 Tests, therefore, play an important role here, but interestingly reveal a new progress every time you reach the next, higher level. Before you start, Mavis Beacon will assess your current level and customize lessons to your needs.

One important feature is customized lessons. This feature module lets you determine speed and accuracy goals for your own lessons and offers the option to train with own word.doc material.

Features

  • 430 lessons, exercises and tests
  • 16 Arcade-style games, multi-level gaming
  • Tracking and progress reporting
  • Import MP3 files and type to own music
  • New Certificates of Completion
  • Windows and Mac OS X ready

Platinum Exclusives!

  • Unique Custom Lesson Designer
  • Practice Sessions in English, Spanish and French
  • New multi-level arcade-style games
  • Import text as Word.doc formats
  • Choose to type from hundreds of interesting articles and stories

Mavis Beacon offers four tracking reports to evaluate progress: Keyboard Proficiencies, Curriculum Map, Progress Over Time and Summary. The software also supports different keyboard types such as standard, split and 10-key layouts.

Verdict. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is best-rated typing software due to its versatile features and learning approaches. The benefit is its focus on gaining specific skills before leveling-up. This way students can be sure to trust their improved typing skills.

Another Pro is the creation of individual lessons. Downsides are missing video tutorials or individual customer supports via phone.

Price: from $39.95.

5. Ultrakey Typing Software

Ultrakey is the latest edition from the popular Ultrakey Typing software series. Being in the business for more than 30 years, Bytes of Learning has developed its tutor to one of the best typing software solutions available.

Ultrakey suits individuals, families, children, professionals, technologists, and can be used for student, adult, university and corporate training. There are two main versions available: Online and Desktop Cloud.

Ultrakey Online is available for individual learners, schools and institutions. It allows hassle-free access through all browsers and computer systems. Users can access videos, games, exercises, tests and progress tracking with a single or family license.

Features

Updates – Ultrakey 6 will bring you free feature updates over the next five years. Compared to other typing tutors in our review, the price might be higher, but its built-in future upgrades payback in the long run.

Resolution – Ultrakey is all about graphics and fitting high-resolution screens. Over 10,000 new elements have been added, whereas photo-realistic presentations and sharpened text elements are certainly one of the highlights here.

Tutorials – Very helpful are colored keyboard elements showing you which fingers serve which keys. Another great feature is virtual reality demonstrations. Similar to Typesy, Ultrakey also uses video tutorials to teach basic typing techniques. There are six instructional videos in total, which however is much less than UT is offering.

Mobile – The typing software supports all mobile platforms and gadgets.

Verdict. UltraKey typing software is easy to use and thanks to its features one of the best typing tutors available. A user-friendly interface, comprehensive exercises and demos, as well as good support and future upgrades, are the pros. The downsides are no options to playfully learn to type through games or to create their own lessons.

It suits Mac and Windows computers. The desktop typing software allows installment on up to 3 computers and 8 users. It's localized for keyboard layouts in North America, the UK and Australia. Bytes of Learning offers technical support.

Price: Online from 24.95 (1 user) | Desktop Cloud from $39.95.
Note: Ultrakey is no longer available.

6. GS Typing Tutor Software

This deceptively simple typing tutor software will have you memorizing the keyboard within a few days.

It is best for learning to touch-type in the first place, but it is also very suitable for more experienced people that just want to increase their typing speed and accuracy.

Features include:

  • A comprehensive history of your progress that allows you to review lessons already completed and your performance after each lesson.
  • One unique feature is that you can opt to learn one-handed typing (left or right hand). This can be extremely handy for people with disabilities.
  • Short lessons mean that you can progress at your own pace. In addition, GS Typing Tutor also covers more advanced aspects of touch typing, such as the use of the numeric keyboard and special characters.
  • The developers have gone to some lengths to make the tuition interesting and full of fun. There are five games designed to improve your speed and accuracy and there are also numerous rated exercises for you to complete.
  • The on-screen keyboard is great in helping you to avoid looking down at your hands.

GS Typing Tutor is feature-rich and is widely used by schools and libraries. It is certainly worth a try if the above typing software isn't any of your choices or/and you don't mind a slightly outdated looking interface.

Price: from $29.95.

7. Rapid Typing Software

The Rapid Typing Tutor is free typing software you can download from the developer's website and suited for individual but also corporate use. There is no registration required and it is suitable for offline use. However, the last update is from August 2016 showing signs of an outdated interface and abandoned development of new features.

In general, Rapid Typing is a keyboard trainer offering lessons that will teach you specified keyboard groups in blocks. It offers a virtual keyboard and visually highlights the keys students need to press during exercises. This tutor is designed for beginners and intermediates and runs best on Windows systems but it can work on Linux and Mac OS when using Wine or the Parallel emulator.

Features – The lesson editor allows you to create and edit your own lessons, and group them into courses. This will also allow teachers to offer a basic typing course for their students as it can be installed on a local server. Students will be able to evaluate their results but it is also possible to track the performance of your kids through simple charts and result tables.

Online Games – Rapid Typing offers online games to practice typing skills. These are not included in the tutor itself so you will need to visit the website in order to play them. Fast Typer 2 will focus on speed, Snow Typer will challenge you on speed and Albarns Attacks will further train your keyboard skills. Many games are designed for children rather than adults; spelling games are available.

Verdict – An easy to use touch typing software with a simple interface and basic features. Graphics may look a bit outdated though. There are no videos or drill tests available, however, free games may compensate for it.

Best Typing Software Tutors – The Verdict

All seven online typing tutors have the ability to teach you how to type faster. They all back on expert-created lessons, offer 10-key lessons and come with the guarantee to see results within weeks.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Classroom Practice

To decide which one fits best for your needs is a question of whether you prefer video tutorials, multi-user accounts, creating own lessons, playing games, phone support or the availability/type of drill exercises and progress tracking.

Recommendations

Typesy Typing Software (view product website) is certainly the best tutor if you prefer a strong visual learning experience. It also offers excellent individual learning features with the option to create lessons, play games or download material.

Kaz Typing (visit website) is a typing tutor that is popular due to its 90-minute A to Z keyboard training (KAZ) system. The program is well designed and offers a strong educational approach to learn to type efficiently. It is suitable for individuals, businesses and schools having a preference for time-effective online classes and scientifically proven teaching methods. 2019 Bett Awards nomination.

Typing Instructor Platinum may not offer videos, but suits those wanting a playful and creative approach to learning. With its travel and adventure sessions, learning to type is very intuitive. The user interface is also the most stylish one of all programs we had a look at in this typing software review.

Mavis Beacon on the other side is suitable for those preferring personalized lessons and careful testing to evaluate their progress.

Ultrakey offers video tutorials as well and fits adult teaching. This typing software, however, is currently not available. The existing editions should still be working fine though Please let us know otherwise to keep this page updated.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Windows 10

9 Best Typing Software 2021

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Classroom Teacher

  1. Typesy ★★★★★
  2. Kaz Typing ★★★★★
  3. Typing Instructor ★★★☆☆
  4. Mavis Beacon ★★★★☆
  5. GS Typing Tutor ★★★☆☆
  6. Ratatype ★★★★☆
  7. All The Right Type ★★★★☆
  8. TypingClub ★★★☆☆

Other Typing Software

TypingClub is good for beginners as it starts off with the very basics you need to become a better typist. Starting off with sitting up straight, TypingClub starts off simply with two letters and adds more as you begin each new keyboarding lesson. Before you know it, you'll transform from a novice to an advanced typist.

All The Right Type is online typing software made for schools, teachers and students alike. It is aligned with ISTE Standards and offers a no-nonsense approach to learning. Of course, improving pace and accuracy are the main goals, but this tutor also offers adaptive learning technologies, interactive and motivational feedback as well as finger analysis and progress tracking.

Sense-Lang provides sixteen free typing lessons that introduce the very basics and lead to more advanced techniques. Sense-Lang also allows you to practice with your own texts or documents for real-world applications. In addition, you can test your speed.

Further Reading:Posture Tips | Free iPad Typing Tips

What is the best typing software 2021? Please share your thoughts, opinions, experience in the comment below!





broken image