- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: September 29, 2009
- Total Downloads: 467,039
- Downloads last week: 8,293
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 80 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET staff on June 08, 2009
Rapid Typing Tutor may be a good program to help novice typists improve, but experienced typists looking to increase their speed may be frustrated by the program's interface.
The program contains a series of lessons that scroll across the screen as the user types. Users can choose from lessons consisting of letters, syllables, capital letters, digits and symbols, or text. As each lesson scrolls across, a keyboard diagram shows an outline of hands moving to the appropriate key. Users type through each lesson and are then shown their scores on speed, accuracy, and arrhythmic input. The main problem with the interface is that experienced typists tend to scan ahead in the text they're typing from, focusing on words or phrases rather than individual letters. Rapid Typing Tutor allows users to see no more than a few characters ahead. And since the speed of the scroll depends on the speed of the typist, those who are already fairly quick may find that the blur of text flying across the screen is hard to process visually. Users who are just getting familiar with the keyboard layout likely won't be bothered by this, but they may grow increasingly frustrated as their speed increases.
In general the interface could be more intuitive, but most users should be able to figure it out. Users can create lessons, but it doesn't seem possible to cut and paste text from elsewhere into a new lesson, which is disappointing. Installation and uninstallation are trouble-free. For free software without limitations, this program is a boon to aspiring typists. More advanced keyboardists may wish to look elsewhere.
Publisher's description
From Typing Tutor Labs :RapidTyping Software announces the release of Rapid Typing Tutor, a free software tool to improve one's typing skills. Rapid Typing Tutor helps computer users to learn how to type properly without looking at the keyboard while making keyboard training fun and entertaining. The tool is completely free, and does not cost a dime. Kids, and adults too, can use Rapid Typing Tutor to improve their typing skills through a series of easy, fun lessons. Rapid Typing Tutor is not another boring keyboard training tool. With numerous colorful themes and avatars and a game-like environment, Rapid Typing Tutor makes learning typing fun for both adults and children. A built-in typing game makes learning to type an easy and entertaining experience. The built-in typing game makes training more like a game, not studying. With Rapid Typing Tutor, it's easy to evaluate typing performance at any time by simply looking at charts. Rapid Typing Tutor tracks user progress, and allows students to see their results at any time. The progress and statistics are represented as tables and charts, allowing students to see their progress and become motivated for taking yet another lesson. The statistics displays both typing speed and accuracy, always with a summary at the end of each lesson. Rapid Typing Tutor is absolutely free, and does not have any hidden fees, adware or spyware included. Rapid Typing Tutor is fully customizable, allowing students to plan their own lessons according to their skills and capabilities.
Rapid Typing Tutor offers the complete freedom of learning, allowing students to make their own lessons and plan their studies. There is no enforcement of pre-defined learning plans. Rapid Typing Tutor allows accessing any lesson at any time, from the easiest to the most advanced. Custom lessons are easy to make, too. If there is a need to practice a particular key or any set of keys, it's easy to create a specific lesson to train for those particular keys.To help typists learn how to place their fingers on the keyboard, Rapid Typing Tutor displays a virtual keyboard with zone highlights. This way, typists always know which hand belongs to which zone. To make learning even more fun while teaching students how to type correctly, Rapid Typing Tutor displays two moving hands over the keyboard.
What's new in this version:
Version 2.9.7 is a bug fixing release.More popular Teaching Tools downloads
- 8,615 downloads 1. TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor
- 8,293 downloads 2. Rapid Typing Tutor
- 7,620 downloads 3. Viper - the Anti-plagiarism Scanner
- 5,777 downloads 4. TypingMaster Typing Test
- 5,230 downloads 5. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 17 Deluxe
- See all Teaching Tools downloads
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 80 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 4 of 4 user reviewsSee all 4 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Rapid Typing Tutor 2.9.7
Pros: I like the way it goes through all the letters in each row. It gives you a chance to learn them without really looking at the keyboard. If you're just learning how to type I think it's a good way to learn speed.
Cons: If you just want to relearn the keyboard or practice, it's to slow. I think the background shouldn't be so busy looking.
-
Version: Rapid Typing Tutor 2.9.7
Pros: learn how to place your hand on the keyboard
Cons: not much, it is kinda good
Summary: parents should download this
-
Version: Rapid Typing Tutor 2.9.7
Pros: Great layout for typing. It's somethin that I would even recommend for my 11 year old to practice her typing on.
Cons: The graphics were not my favorite. I wished there was more to choose from.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Rapid Typing Tutor 2.9.7
"Rapid Typing Tutor is a great program!"
Pros: Rapid Typing Tutor is easy to use if you want to brush up on your typing skills or simply want to increase your speed. The program is easy to install and run.
Cons: I did not find anything negative about this program.
Summary: I have had a problem with hitting the wrong key sometimes, and thanks to Rapid Typing Tutor I can now practice correcting my keystrokes so that I don't make the same mistakes. I am also steadily building my speed thanks to the program.
- See all 4 user reviews Write review
Submit your review
- See more CNET content tagged:
- keyboard
Previous Versions:
