Product Description: Designed specifically for kids, JumpStart Typing gives children a critical technological edge with a product that's fun to play and easy to use.
A fun typing workout for kid typists of all different skill levels I'm StoryMaker, and I've been enjoying JumpStart products since I was in Kindergarten. When I saw JumpStart Typing (which I had already researched plenty about) at the library, I got it - mostly not for me, but for one of my sisters, Chocolate Dog, who, no offence meant, isn't exactly the world's most utterly and overly fantastic typist. I didn't think this would benefit me a lick 'cause, no bragging meant, I'm a pretty speedy, pretty accurate typist. Because C-Dog didn't show much interest in it at first, I played it. It's great!
The Basic Storyline Because it's a bit more fun to hear about the storyline once you play, I'll just say it involves the characters in JumpStart (Advanced) 3rd Grade and using Power Cards to unlock Coach Qwerty. If you want more info, then look for it on the net and you'll find it.
The Game's Basic Structure The completion of the game revolves around Timed Typing Tests, which are where you try to write as much as you can in a nonsense story about khaki kids and dead sidekicks. The first one determines your typing skill and sets the WPM goals you have to reach in TTT thereafter in order to charge up Power Cards. Every Power Card opens up one lock and brings you a step closer to freeing the coach. There are also 5 fast-paced, arcade-style typing games that give your fingers a workout! Playing the games (except Fans Go Wild) will earn you medals. Your medals will determine which trophy you win at the closing ceremony, which starts once you unlock the trophy room. Thus, you have to do both the TTT and the games for best results. Oh, and, doing TTT also charges a meter at the screen's bottom. It needs to have enough power in it in order to play games. Oh, and, there are also lessons to help teach typing skills.
Opinions Because of the assessment test-like nature of the first TTT, this game is customized for you and is therefore good for beginning kid typists and more advanced ones like me. The gameplay of the games is very fast, fun and arcade-styled. There are only 5, which may seem shrimpy for a JumpStart, but due to the nature of the games, 5 is really all you need to have a blast. This game is pretty good at teaching and reinforcing good hand positions (something that I needed to work on a bit). Plus, the games, by nature, encourage you to look at the screen as you type. The lessons are pretty good for earlier typists. I found the game to be pretty short for a JumpStart, though, and the graphics are a bit bad, but actually nice when you consider that this game is over 10 years old. Oh, and, by the way, I got a gold trophy. :) Overall, JumpStart Typing is a good typing workout for all sorts of kid typists! Check out other JumpStart products, and ClueFinders too! Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"
Did not work on Mac We had a previous version of this product for the Mac O.S. 9 which worked well. Somehow, we lost it and ordered this version which does not appear to work on Mac O.S. 9 or Mac O.S. 10. I could not even install it.
Wrong product shipped Was very disappointed to have the person I gave this to come back to me with the news that it does not work on the Mac. Even thought the description above has "(PC & Mac)" in it. Not worth returning.
Jumpstart Typing Great beginning typing program for kids. Good graphics, entertaining "storyline", small goals along the way and "prizes" to be won. The progression of key introduction is slow and doable, as opposed to other programs out there.
Great for kids! I have three boys ages 10, 8 and 6. All three have enjoyed the Jumpstart typing. I have purchased other typing programs that are labeled age appropriate for kids but find that the games that are offered are not for very beginning typists. Jumpstart Typing has been a great start for even my youngest son as it matches the level of the typist and grows more challenging as they become better at typing.
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