In the corporation

> Computer training -- individual instruction matched to each person
> Skills improvement -- increasing efficiency and reducing errors
> Word processing evaluation -- measuring computer skills, not typewriter testing
> Job related testing -- custom testing using your own word processing documents
> Communication skills -- learning to compose at the keyboard
> Performance verification -- automatic evaluation with printed results
> Installation options -- individual training centers or across your entire network

> Ainsworth Keypad Trainer 4 -- training software for the number keypad

Computer training

Self-paced lessons adjust automatically to each person. Physical factors as well as previous experience with typewriters or computers will determine how quickly a given person can learn the keyboard.

We adjust the pace of the lessons to match the individual. People who can learn quickly will move ahead quickly without wasting time. Those who take a little longer are given as much time as they need without being pushed ahead too fast. Not only does this make training more efficient, it also makes it much more enjoyable because each person is learning at a comfortable and effective pace.

Practice sessions can be any length and can start and stop at any convenient interval. There are no canned lessons and no imposed schedule to meet.

Help is always just a click away. Pressing the help key at any time shows a special help screen that describes what is happening and explains what to do next. The first time a person ventures into a new section of the program, the Auto-Help function automatically provides this additional information and support. Thereafter, help is displayed only on request. This gentile but thorough electronic documentation system eliminates the need for manuals and printed text.

Self-correcting monitors within the software automatically detect and correct the six most common errors, such as having the hands off the home row keys or typing out of position. The Hands-ON! monitor automatically detects these common errors and quickly shows what's wrong and how to correct it. This rapid response and automatic correction removes frustrations, assures correct fingering in all the lessons and drills, and eliminates the need for visual clues and pictures of hands.

Skills improvement

Knowing what finger goes where on the keyboard is an important step, but it is not the final word as far as using computers efficiently and well. Even people who "know how to type" often use computers inefficiently because they look at or visualize certain keys. Looking back and forth between the keyboard and the task at hand is an open invitation to errors.

Prescription Drills provide focused practice sessions that can be used at any time to improve skills and reduce error rates. The software detects and eliminates hesitations automatically.

This interactive practice session and its focused learning technology can create more skills improvement in a few minutes than could be achieved with hours of standard typing practice. These interactive drills are especially effective in reducing error rates because they help people focus on the screen at all times. This increased efficiency is equally important whether a person is composing original text, as with a word processor, or interacting with a form-fill screen, as in a typical order taking or data base application.

Word processing evaluation

Conventional typing tests are simply not adequate for evaluating performance with computer applications such as a word processor or data entry system. The text from any standard typing test can be used, but the keyboard itself must follow computer, not typewriter, conventions.

Our tests are completely computer-based and include automatic word wrap, backspace correction, and proper use of the Enter key for paragraphing. This allows each person to use the normal functions of the computer keyboard that are common to all word processors, e-mail editors, order entry systems, and data base management products.

Job related testing

Eight standard word processing test formats are included with the program. You can use any word processing file to easily replace one or more of these to create your own test. All tests are presented and scored automatically, and may be printed as typed for a permanent record.

It is easy to customize our program by using documents that closely match actual work conditions, including lists of names and addresses, correspondence, and even a legal brief or medical document. Substituting your word processing file for any one of the eight word processing tests is a simple procedure. The first line in your document will be used by the program as the title for the test. This title will then appear automatically on the program menu and will be included in all printed reports.

> Sample Word Processing Test screen...

Communication Skills

The Ainsworth Conversation Piece is designed specifically to help people write efficiently and well. We may think of "writing" as creating The Great American Novel or developing sitcom scripts for television, but it's true that many computer applications use compositional skills in addition to just copying information. Typing and thinking at the same time is a special ability that can be learned with considerable practice or trained rather quickly with this unique software program.

After basic keyboarding skills have been learned, the Conversation Piece provides compositional training with interactive conversations on screen. This bridges the gap between learning to copy text accurately and being able to write or compose freely on screen. For people using e-mail, creating documents, or any task where on-screen thinking is required, this program is effective and enjoyable training for using the computer to enhance communication skills.

The Ainsworth Writer is a self-teaching word processor with only the most essential functions for writing, editing, and printing text. Consequently, it doesn't take extended instruction to be able to use this program to create letters, reports, and similar documents. A brief writing course is also included to give beginning writers a few valuable pointers to make their writing easier and more effective.

Performance verification

You can document performance easily and automatically with either of two printed reports. At the conclusion of any test, the Test Report showing complete test results and scores for this test may be printed, including a graded copy of the text as typed. This report is ideal for verifying performance with your own standardized test.

You can also print a complete Summary Report listing showing performance on all keys, lessons and drills completed, and test scores on all tests. This report will accurately summarize skill level and also track training progress.

> Sample Test Report printout...

> Sample Summary Report printout...

Both test reports will show the Best Performance Index in addition to standard test data such as test title, words typed, total time, words-per-minute, accuracy in percent, and total errors. This index is our own method for evaluating keyboarding performance. We average the top ten percent of the test and present this score in addition to the average speed and accuracy for the entire test. The Best Performance Index shows how a person performs when typing at the best speed and with no errors. We can, in effect, look beyond the testing situation with this index and accurately measure how well a person can type in a normal, non-testing environment.

Installation

Installation couldn't be easier with our CD's that include both network and stand-alone configurations. Several methods for storing history files and other options are supported. Custom configurations for distance learning and downloadable or remote installation are also available. Check either of these links for details.

Ainsworth Keypad Trainer 4

This additional software program is not included in the Ainsworth Keyboard Trainer and may be purchased separately. It is available in both stand-alone and network versions.

The Ainsworth Keypad Trainer can quickly teach you to key in numbers automatically. This gives you an automatic cross-check because each number will have a distinct "feel." Focusing your attention on complete numbers, instead of separate digits, will also give you an overview of the information you're dealing with.

This is a separate computer program and may be used in conjunction with the Keyboard Trainer, or used independently to develop ten-key skills. A variety of data entry and form-fill simulations give you real-world practice. The Number Cruncher! game adds the confidence to run numbers flawlessly.

A special option allows you to include the decimal key or not. Your choice will depend on whether you use the number keypad in banking and financial applications, or in general calculations and spreadsheets.

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