TypicClub is a fun and interesting way to practice typing.

it's overall a great teaching tool that is heavily nostalgic. I remember even using this tool to practice typing myself. Curating this as a game also helps make it more engaging for students as they can focusing on taking a task that might be seen as mundane and turning into a competitive way of improving a life long useful skill. I think as a typing tool it is very good for practice but it doesn't qualify as something that leans into a critical thinking exercise.

What I Like: Engagement: It’s a fun way to combine typing practice with music, making a typically monotonous task more enjoyable for students. The use of popular songs keeps students motivated and can cater to different musical tastes. Competitive Element: The built-in scoring and competitive aspect can drive students to improve their skills, encouraging repetition and improvement. What I Didn’t Like: Distraction Risk: While music adds fun, it can also become a distraction, especially if students focus more on the song than their typing. Limited Depth for Advanced Typists: It’s great for beginners or intermediate typists, but it might not provide enough challenge for students who already type at high speeds. Overall: LyricType is a creative way to improve typing skills, but balancing fun and focus would be key in a classroom setting. lyricstype.com

There were many varied curricula to choose from, and the lessons were fun and engaging. The difficulty increases as you go, but you can customize if your students are ahead/behind the presets. The app also gives statistics, so if your class is competitive, you can really keep them interested by creating a "fastest", "most lessons completed", or "most improved" leaderboard. Teachers told me that in other classes, when students were done with their work, they'd start doing Typing Club! Instead of picking up their phones, students were choosing Typing Club. I feel like that really says it all.