Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS)

Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS) provides an entirely integrated touch-typing program for reading and spelling, whether for a person, family, or dyslexic. With a multisensory approach in a sequenced series of lessons, this home- or classroom-based program anchors literacy skills.

Touch Type Read and Spell laptop

TTRS divides its course into 24 levels, each containing 31 modules. Each module takes only a few minutes to complete, providing immediate feedback based on completion and accuracy. This encourages student success through positive reinforcement, as learners earn points towards trophies and certificates.

Beginning with touch-typing, reading, and spelling vowels, TTRS uses audio tracks to drive home sound-letter correspondence. The students see the letters on the screen, hear them through headphones and then type them, so developing muscle memory and spelling skills. This multi-sensory approach supports those who are dyslexic and have poor short-term memory.

Touch Type Read and Spell classroom

In the second level, words are grouped by onset, vowel blend, and final consonant. This teaches phonics in context, helping students become comfortable with typing. Every fifth module focuses on dictation, encouraging students to type what they hear, which improves spelling and sound-letter mapping skills.

TTRS is flexible and caters to various learning environments and needs. Teachers can use the program in their classrooms or assign it for homework or extra credit. Parents can also work with their children at home to support their class work. The course is self-managed, lessening the need for continuous guidance by the teacher, and allowing the teacher to give more attention to students who have other needs.

Touch Type Read and Spell pc

Teachers can have free unlimited accounts and can fully track classes and individual progress without even having to be a competent touch-typists themselves. The interface is intuitive, which makes it easy to set up and start quickly for both teachers and students.

The program’s reporting features help teachers gain insight into which words and spelling patterns are difficult for students. With this information, customized lessons can be created to address the difficulties. TTRS covers students with different learning needs in inclusive classrooms, such as autism, visual or hearing impairments, and attention difficulties.

In addition to literacy skills, TTRS offers modules in English, mathematics, and science. Teachers can create custom lessons and add spelling lists, further personalizing the learning experience. New features like the subject creator and free writing encourage creativity, while weekly goals and performance streaks motivate regular use.

The TTRS method involves seeing, typing, and hearing the text, with students pronouncing words alongside the audio. This diverse sensory input helps the material stick. The program cements learning through modular lessons, repetition, and dictation exercises. This program would be suitable for children facing a variety of challenges: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD, or visual and auditory processing disorders.

TTRS is not an animated or gamified environment. It is therefore suitable for motivated children, teenagers, and adults. It works by developing procedural knowledge of English spelling and builds phonological awareness supporting reading skills with a structured phonics program. This supports vocabulary acquisition and core content – especially maths, science and English. The course builds confidence and self-esteem by offering a manageable approach to learning. It has won industry awards such as Special Education Resource of the Year in 2017 and it has also been a finalist in the Bett Awards in 2018 and 2020.

TTRS is accessible, easy to use, and self-paced, making it a useful tool for teachers. For more information, visit the TTRS website.

Touch Type Read and Spell sign up

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About Joanna Nance-Phillips

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Children's literature maven and primary teacher. 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad.

This resource was last updated on August 18th, 2024 and first published in 2024.