December 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In today's digital age, teaching students to touch type is imperative.  As students become keyboard proficient, this invaluable skill will help them succeed in their school years and will be critical as they pursue further studies, training, or move directly into the workforce.

With this in mind, we are excited to inform you that our school has access to one of the most innovative typing tutors available,Typing Agent.  The program can be accessed from district web page or from the program’s website:  https://clarkstown.typingagent.com. Typing Agent is a 100% web-based program that teaches very important keyboarding skills. The program has hundreds of lessons, tests, and reinforces learning to type with fun and exciting games and quests for students to enjoy. Research shows that students learn more when they are engaged and having fun.

Additionally, you as the parent/guardian have a special Parent Access portal on the Typing Agent website, which allows you to see how your child is progressing in their keyboarding skills with the program. Attached are directions for using the Parent Access portal. For any technical problems accessing the program, please feel free to contact your building’s library media specialist or your child’s classroom teacher.

Another exciting feature of Typing Agent is that your child can log on to the program from both school and home. In order for this program to be successful, children must practice for a certain amount of time in and out of school. If your child does not have access to a computer with network capability at home, they can practice at school. Covering the keyboard is an important step in training the students not to look at their hands when they type. One way to accomplish this is to tape a sheet of paper to the back of the keyboard. Students can place hands under the paper to practice. Thank you for your support in helping your child improve their keyboarding skills.

We hope you will encourage your child to use Typing Agent.  Using this program on a consistent basis will help support your child’s progress.

Sincerely,