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What is Touch-Type Read and Spell (TTRS)?
Touch-Type Read and Spell (TTRS) is found at readandspell.com. Their home page summary states that “TTRS is a multi-sensory course that teaches touch-typing skills to help children and adults improve their reading and spelling. TTRS can be used as a standalone touch-typing course and is especially useful for those with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.” And that “Proven over 20 years, TTRS is a structured program of phonics and aims to develop literacy skills, confidence, selfÂ-esteem and motivation.”
TTRS offers a comprehensive touch-typing course, for students age 7 and up, based on a structured program of phonics. It features the following components, which I’m sure you’ll appreciate:
- It’s research-based.
- It uses the Orton-Gillingham method of reading instruction – the program builds literacy skills while teaching kids keyboarding.
- It’s highly structured – yet flexible. I like the combination!
- It’s multi-sensory, using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (touch) senses – so it works for a variety of learners. Homeschoolers love multi-sensory!
- It’s modular in design.
- The modules are short in length, with immediate/positive feedback.
- The program offers an adaptive interface in terms of colors, fonts and designs (which your kids will like).
- The program is suitable for users who struggle with physical impairments and specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia.
- The program works well for ESL students.
- It also works for adults!
- In case you want it, optional tutor support is available.
Touch-Type Read and Spell Videos
How does Touch-type Read and Spell work?
TTRS comes with separate student and admin accounts. The main course is modular in design and contains 24 levels with 31 modules in each level. A module typically takes a few minutes to complete. Student success is encouraged by immediate feedback and positive reinforcement. This feedback includes a score that is based on completion rates and accuracy, not speed or time taken. Learners can earn points toward trophies and certificates.
The course starts with students learning to touch-type, read and spell the vowels – a , e , i , o , u. The audio track accompanies the letters as they appear on screen, reinforcing sound-letter correspondence, which is a crucial skill for sounding out words in reading. The student then receives their first score – and success!
In the second level, the student is introduced to words grouped by onset, vowel-blend and final consonant. For example – fed, wed, led. This teaches phonics in context and at the same time the student learns the position of the keys using the on-screen hand guides. With repetition, these words move from short-term to long-term memory and the skill of typing begins to feel more comfortable.
Every 5th module is a dictation module that removes the visual element encouraging the student to listen to the words and then type out what they hear. This develops spelling by testing sound-letter mapping skills.
Some students with dyslexia have problems with their short-term memory. Repetition is a way of over-learning which can help with these problems. TTRS uses a multi-sensory approach to repetition learning. Through the multi-sensory approach, students hear the words spoken through headphones or speakers, see the words printed on the screen, and are prompted as to which fingers to press via the on-screen keyboard. Finally, through the sense of touch, they type out the words and learn to spell with their fingers.
For Home Use
TTRS works well for home use for the following reasons:
Touch-Type Read and Spell Product Review
- TTRS helps students learn touch typing. My kids’ typing skills are improving.
- TTRS is enjoyable – my kids like working on the TTRS program.
- The program can help learners with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD and dyspraxia master the keyboard and improve their reading and spelling skills.
- TTRS works for kids – and for adults.
- The company provides helpful hints along the way. This is info I received in an email a few days after signing up.
- Plus, your kids learn learn math, science, and more. Bonus…bonus…bonus!
- Every home subscription comes with an administrator account so parents can see how their kids are doing.
- Convenience – TTRS can be used on any desktop or laptop computer. There is also an iPad app for learning on the go.
- It’s easy to sign up for free trial – and to get started too.
FAQ About TTRS
The program is suitable for users who struggle with physical impairments and specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia.
Yes!! you can ddefinitely take demo before buying any course.
Yes!! It has
- Structured wordlists based on the book ‘Alpha to Omega’
- Multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham approach to reading and spelling
- Sight words, uppercase letters, punctuation and whole sentences
- Students who experience spelling, reading or writing difficulties
- Adults who want to learn typing and/or require help with their literacy skills
- Students learning English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- It Can enhance self-esteem for individuals with a history of educational failure
- TTRS is appropriate as a typing course for children age 7+ and adults who wish to learn the skill of keyboarding. It is part of the National Curriculum for Schools and Colleges.
Yes! TTRS can be used on any desktop or laptop computer. There is also an iPad app for learning on the go.
TTRS is an online course. After the registration, you can use it without any installation as long as you have an Internet connection. Our iPad app also comes with an offline mode.
Yes, every home subscription comes with an administrator account for easy access to results and graphs showing learner progress. There is also a free TTRS Reporting app, so usage and performance can be tracked on your smartphone.
