Mark Valentine - Nethermill School, Dumfries and Galloway

The Keyboard Crazy game was loaned to Nethermill by the school ICT coordinator following a discussion regarding the time children spend searching the keyboard when entering text.

Although somewhat sceptical at first the head decided to try the game with the senior class of the school. It was clear from the outset that the children were very keen to play the various games we introduced. The head teacher was "amazed" by the enthusiasm of the children; even on wet playtimes when the children are allowed to choose from a range of activities there is always a rush to get to the Keyboard Crazy game first.

At first we thought this was simply the novelty value of a new game available in the school but with the different variations in the games which can be played, this showed little sign of slowing. Numbers of children have already (after only three weeks) reported that they are "working better at the computer since playing the game. Headteacher Mark Valentine says, "The children can themselves recognise how much their keyboarding skills have progressed in such a short. period of time. The younger children got wind of the game and are now demanding their turn."