As technology plays a more significant role in education, more states are moving to administer assessments like the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) entirely online. This transformation has new challenges for students, who must now become proficient in the tested materials and technology. Two tools that can help students prepare for TELPAS and other computer-based tests are NitroType and Typing.com. This article also provides a lesson plan that you can use.
What are NitroType and Typing.com?
NitroType is a website that offers a fun and interactive way to improve typing speed and accuracy through various typing races. Typing.com is an online platform that provides a more in-depth approach to typing lessons, testing, tracking, and certificate. By using both NitroType and Typing.com together, students can have a well-rounded typing practice that allows them to improve their typing skills and become more comfortable with the computer.
How can NitroType and Typing.com help with TELPAS preparation?
One of the biggest challenges of taking TELPAS on a computer is the time constraint. The test gives students a limited amount of time to complete the assessment. It can be challenging to finish all the questions if they need to type quickly and accurately. NitroType can help students improve their typing speed and accuracy in a fun and interactive way. At the same time, Typing.com can provide a more in-depth approach to typing lessons and allows students to track their progress over time.
Another benefit of NitroType and Typing.com is that they can help students become more comfortable with the technology. TELPAS is an assessment that requires students to use a keyboard and mouse, and NitroType and Typing.com can help them become more familiar with these tools. Using those tools can reduce anxiety and stress on test day, as students will be more confident navigating the computer.
In addition, NitroType and Typing.com also help improve English Language proficiency by providing typing practice of English words and sentences. Thus, it can be a fun way of improving language and typing skills.
How can teachers incorporate NitroType and Typing.com into their TELPAS preparation?
One way for teachers to incorporate NitroType and Typing.com into their TELPAS preparation is to have students practice typing on the site during class. Students can practice as a warm-up activity before a lesson or as a cool-down activity after a lesson. Using the platform’s built-in reporting features, teachers can also use Typing.com to assign typing practice as homework and monitor students’ progress.
Another way to use NitroType is to hold typing competitions and races among students in class. Races are a fun way of having students practice their typing skills. Teachers can use Typing.com to track each student’s progress and motivate them to improve their typing speed.
Lesson Plan.
Lesson Title:
- Improving Typing Speed and Accuracy for TELPAS
TEKS Standards:
- English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) 1.6A, 1.6B, 1.6C, 1.6D
- Technology Applications (TA) 3.11A, 3.11B, 3.11C
Content Objectives:
- Students will learn the importance of typing speed and accuracy when taking computer-based assessments such as TELPAS.
- Students will practice using NitroType to improve their typing skills.
- Students will learn how to navigate and use Typing.com to track their progress and measure improvement.
Language Objectives:
- Students will use English vocabulary and grammar while practicing typing on NitroType and Typing.com.
- Students can explain in English why typing speed and accuracy are essential for taking computer-based assessments.
Materials:
- Computers with internet access
- NitroType and Typing.com accounts
Procedure:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- Explain the importance of typing speed and accuracy when taking computer-based assessments such as TELPAS.
- Introduce NitroType and Typing.com as tools to help students improve their typing skills.
- Show a demo of how to navigate and use NitroType and Typing.com.
- Independent Practice (20 minutes):
- Have students log in to their NitroType and Typing.com accounts,
- Instruct students to practice typing using NitroType games and races,
- Encourage students to use Typing.com to track their progress and measure improvement.
- Guided Practice (20 minutes):
- Have students work individually to complete a typing test on Typing.com
- Provide support and guidance as needed, and allow students to ask questions and discuss their typing skills with their partner.
- Have students share their results and progress with the class.
- Independent Practice (20 minutes):
- Have students log back into NitroType and Typing.com to practice typing independently.
- Encourage students to use the skills they have learned and to continue to track their progress.
- Lesson Conclusion (10 minutes):
- Review the importance of typing speed and accuracy when taking computer-based assessments such as TELPAS.
- Ask students to think about their progress and what they have learned today.
- Encourage students to continue practicing their typing skills on NitroType and Typing.com to prepare for TELPAS and other computer-based assessments.
Assessment:
- Observe students during independent and guided practice to assess their typing skills and progress.
- Collect and grade students’ results and progress on Typing.com, which will give a better understanding of overall progress.
In Conclusion.
NitroType and Typing.com are potent tools that help students prepare for TELPAS and other computer-based assessments. NitroType provides an interactive and fun way to improve typing speed and accuracy. In contrast, Typing.com delivers a more in-depth approach to typing lessons and tracking progress. Both can help students become more comfortable with the technology and reduce anxiety on test day. As technology plays a more significant role in education, students must develop strong keyboarding skills.
Comments.
Have you used NitroType before? What are other benefits that these tools can provide? Check out my NitroType profile, and let me know what you think.
