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| Touch-type Read
and Spell |
| Latest Testimony |
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19 January 2010
Acknowledgement: This article is reproduced
with the kind permission of " The Lassilian" where it first appeared in the
Spring 2010 edition.


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6 December 2009 From the Irish Examiner 4th
December 2009

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1 July 2009 Dear Mr Alexandre,
I don't know if you remember me (probably not as it was many years ago!)
but my name is Louise Lynch and I attended the Touch Type Read and Spell
courses. At first I hated it and would do anything to get out of going. I
was only 9 when I first started. But I ended up loving the lessons and hated
it when it was time to go home. I went on to become the first child in the
Bexley London Borough to complete the whole course, and I am now able to
touch type at 80 WPM. The lessons I was given changed my life for the better
and I am so grateful to you and your team of dedicated teachers. I am now 22
years old and can't believe how far I've come in the 13 years since I first
started leaning to touch type.
My reason for contacting you is because I would really like to give
something back, and help others the way you helped me. I work during the
week, but was wondering if there were any openings for a touch typing
teacher on a Saturday? I would be more than willing to undertake whatever
training is necessary and I would do this on a voluntary basis.
I understand if there aren't any openings, but I'm not sure if you are
currently in need of any teachers or not.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
With kind regards,
Louise Lynch
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May 10, 2009 When Joy Addy first saw the
Touch-type Read and Spell Computer Course she knew it was an ideal resource
for pupils at Visionport International School in Accra Ghana, a school she
has started in memory of her mother who was a renown midwife and child
welfare professional. Joy’s original idea had been to start just a
pre-school, but the quality of education was so high she was pressurised by
parents into expanding into primary education. The school now takes in a new
class each year.
Those first pre-schoolers who are now 7 and 8 year olds, are the first in
Ghana to be able to take TTRS, and are enjoying improving their reading,
writing, spelling, keyboard skills and self-esteem - “and” says Joy, “they
are motivated by the high scores they achieve”. The children are of mixed
ability, and Joy, (who is also a professional social worker) recognised
quite early that all students can learn from “dyslexia friendly” teaching.
She has introduced this approach throughout the school. Joy is also highly
aware that facility with computers is going to be a key skill in these
children’s futures.
Joy’s next project is to organise a Dyslexia Awareness Week for Ghana,
where specific learning difficulties are currently under-recognised.
To find out more about Visionport visit
www.visionportschool.com
joyaddy@hotmail.com
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June 15, 2008
Ireland
Extract from the Sunday Independent Vol. 103 No. 24 June 15, 2008 -
LIFE Magazine - written by journalist Joy Orpen about Jordan McGrath and his
mother Evelyn
"....... So, when she heard about a programme called Touch-type Read and
Spell (TTRS), she decided to investigate and consequently signed Jordan up
for a three month stint.
The modules of TTRS are specifically designed for children - and adults -
with reading, writing and/or spelling difficulties and while Evelyn hoped
Jordan would gain a few skills, she hadn't bargained on a complete
transformation.
Wearing headphones, Jordan sits at a computer and hears words spoken: he
sees the same words clearly displayed on the screen and he then types them
on the keyboard.
"Using sound, visuals and touch, each student works at their own pace,"
explains Evelyn. "Its fairly new to Ireland. In fact, I think Jordan is the
first boy to complete the programme here."
What she learned is that her son is computer-orientated and now that he
has grasped the rudiments of the programme, he has really come into his own.
"It was really frustrating for my son, who is really innovative and
creative, that he had no formal way of getting his ideas out. One year and
three months later, he is now touch-typing at a good speed. For a child who
never got his spellings right, who was slow at reading or delivering his
ideas through writing, this is great - it opens up a whole new avenue for
him."
"And for once in his life, he can actually do something that most other
children can't. I now feel he has some sort of advantage," Evelyn says.
Jordan has gone from a situation where he couldn't even choose a book
from the teacher's shelves because he simply couldn't read the titles to a
situation today where he is reading quite well.
His proud mother is in no doubt that much has been gained by the TTRS
programme and Jordan's commitment to it.
" He's reading well now and so his confidence and self-esteem have
increased. Even his spelling has improved. He's much happier in school now
he is supported by this learned (computer) skill that he finds he is good
at," she said.
Jordan is a really nice, very honest young boy with a lovely smile and a
wry sense of humour. His mother says most of the artwork around the house
has been done by him, and that he is a whizz at designing living spaces
using the Sims (life simulator) computer game or Lego.
He says he wants to be a guard when he grows up and laughs heartily when
I suggest that he combine his interests and design buildings for the Guarda
Siochana.
One thing is certain, whatever he decides to do he will do to the very
best of his ability and with his new-found skill, this very likeable lad
will to far.
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11th June 2008 I'm so excited to report that
our students at Murraylands Christian College are getting more and more
perfect scores.
Heather gained 3 100% scoresin Level 5, Modules 23, 26 and 28 and Verna
also gained 3 more 100% scores in Level 5, Modules 23, 26 and 30. Both girls
were jubilant at their success!
God Bless,
Pam Coulson
Murraylands Christian College
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6th June 2008
Head Teacher, Namibia Africa
Yes, every one is very much excited over the TTRS. I did a demonstration
on how it works and how the learners would benefit from such a programme.The
school management have agreed to put it to practice by using it for a group
of 10 - 20 learners. The interest is so high among the teachers themselves
for their own use at their homes. Of course they need to wait till you are
here or otherwise you can advice my on what to do in that regard.
Next week (11.06.08) I will be having a small demo to my cluster
principals at my school.
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| 18th March 2008
Abigail
Baker in the Australian Outback :
TTRS is being used as part of a computer course which focuses on
equipping Indigenous teenagers between the ages of 16 – 24 with skills
to enable employment.
The course is perfect for these teenagers as often the kinesthetic
approach is the most culturally appropriate method of learning.
Many have experienced repeated failure in the school system, hence
causing disengagement.
This course is a fantastic tool for re-engagement.
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| 7th March 2008
I don't have the energy to write this up properly at the moment, but
just to let you know about the continuing saga of Rhys:
As you know, it took him 2-3 months to get his courage up to start
TTRS last term which you kindly donated. Poor self-esteem etc.
What a change in such a short period after taking TTRS twice a week!
Before I went to Hong Kong I made an appointment for him with a
disability advisor at Connexions, and went with him for moral support,
as his "scribe", and argued his case.
As a result he started a full time College course in carpentry this
week, and although he's now 20, he won't have to pay for the course
because of his missed schooling and dyslexia. His personality has
changed (that's feedback from his brothers, via his mum); he's a much
happier person and now believes in his ability to succeed after feeling
a failure, and stupid, for years.
He wouldn't be there if it wasn't for you and wonderful TTRS. So on
behalf of Rhys (and his much relieved mum) thank you. C
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| March 2008
Laura
is the first student to complete the entire TTRS course in Ireland
Laura started in October 2006 and achieved 3 x 100% and 305 "Excellents"
Congratulations Laura!
Laura R: "TTRS has helped me a lot with my spelling, reading and
typing. Since starting the course, I have improved immensely in all my
spelling tests. I feel more confident reading and have begun to read
bigger books like Harry Potter. My typing has improved greatly. It is
faster to do anything on the computer now and I type lots of stories.
Before the course I did not read much or type at all. The course has
helped me so, so much. Thank you. Laura."
Susan R (mother): "TTRS has improved Laura's short-term memory, her
spelling and her self-confidence."
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| 8th February 2008
"My favourite success story with TTRS is a young fellow from
Gladstone in North Qld. He came down to see me in Brisbane when he was
in Year 4 and I showed them TTRS at the time. He took to it immediately.
He was an unusual dyslexic as he had learned to read quite well by
memorising whole words but had no phonological awareness, so spelling
and writing suffered. He had the TTRS Home program for 2 years and I
visited Gladstone and caught up with him when he was in Year 7 - just
before going to high school. He had his laptop ready to use in school
and when I asked him how he would manage taking notes from the
blackboard he replied " Oh well I can touch type now so I just look at
the board and type".
Margaret Hardy
Dyslexia Testing Services Pty Ltd
Brisbane
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| Excerpt from the The Irish Times Saturday 26th January
2008 " . Evelyn McGrath from Clane, Co Kildare whose son Jordan has
been attending a TTRS course at Scoil Dara in Kilcock, feels the
programme has helped him immensely. "He is now able to touch-type and
that has done wonders for his self-esteem and confidence. He's in sixth
class at school and they are getting lots of essays for homework, that
would take him a long time to write. He can type it quicker than he can
write it. His spelling has also improved." Journalist:
The Irish Times Michael Kelly
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| January 2008
Report: Autumn Term 07. TTRS Weekly Course held at Orpington College,
Orpington, Kent, England
Parent Evaluation: What areas have helped so far? Parent ticked:
Typing, Confidence, Vocabulary, Spelling, Self Esteem, Co-ordination,
Reading, Motivation, Concentration
Parent written comment: "This course "SAVED" Lily."
Parent: Mrs Nina Fisher Tutor: Debbie Kemp Evaluation Report for
Autumn Term 07, parent signed: 6/12/07
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| Report: Autumn Term 07. TTRS Weekly Course held at
Orpington College, Orpington, Kent, England
Parent Evaluation: What areas have helped so far? Parent ticked:
Typing, Confidence, Vocabulary, Spelling, Self Esteem, Co-ordination,
Reading, Motivation, Concentration
What areas do you think that TTRS will help with in the future?
Parent ticked: Typing, Confidence, Vocabulary, Spelling, Self Esteem,
Co-ordination, Reading, Motivation, Concentration
Parent written comment: "Its been a fantastic success for Louie, all
the above is true, I am so greatful for this course and so is Louie."
Parent: Mrs B Levinson Tutor: Debbie Kemp Evaluation Report for
Autumn Term 07, parent signed: 6/12/07
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| June 2007 ................Thursday’s meeting went
very well we thought. Gwenda spoke well and with passion. Everyone
enjoyed her anecdotes and wisdom gained from her years of experience.
The dvds were well received and the children demonstrated the course
admirably, answered questions positively without any prompting or
setting up. The visiting teachers were impressed that TTRS was
intrinsically motivating and were shocked that all the children enjoyed
it without stickers, star charts or any form of external motivator save
lots of positive encouragement. All the children said it had helped them
with spelling and reading when asked individually. I invited the parents
along and 4 out of the 6 came. They are all so positive and enthusiastic
about TTRS. One parent spoke about it briefly and answered questions.
She has 4 out of 4 children with dyslexia and wants TTRS for her older
teenagers. All the teachers said it was good timing with looking ahead
to next year’s budgets. I was asked many practical questions about the
setting up and daily running of TTRS. I could answer all the questions
with ease having been involved with several different programmes over
the years. I stressed that it works for all kinds of literacy problems
not just dyslexia. My own son had a language disorder. I’ve also used it
with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, CAP disorder and even
autism...........................
Trish Walker B Ed (Spec Ed), Dip T
Special Education teacher Encounter Lutheran School
Victor Harbor
South Australia
17 April 2007Sorry its taken a while to get in
touch. I had my first session with a young person last week which went
well. At first he wondered what it was all about and said he couldn't
type but, after a brief explanation and encouragement to give it a go he
was off. He spent at least an hour on the programme and when I came to
end the session he wanted to do another module. He regularly told
himself he was going to aim for 100% on the next go which he didn't
quite manage his highest score reaching 99% (7 excellent overall) but
this didn't dishearten him to keep trying. He liked to look back at his
graph and even showed his YOT worker. Fingers crossed this young person
will be back this week. I have several young people down to do TTRS but
as yet have not attended their appointment but I won't be giving up on
them until they have given it a go.
Kind regards, Emma.
Emma Garrity
Learning Mentor
Bolton Youth Offending Team
Le Mans Crescent
Bolton BL1 1SA
3rd February 2007
TTRS at lunchtimes is going really well. I do Mondays and Fridays for
just half an hour. I had one Year 9 boy do a whole level in a week in
his own time! He just loves it and loves the praise. I have come up with
a bit of a problem as I need to put more pupils on the register and it
says I have used my quota of 100. Please could you check if this is all
we have paid for?
Speak to you soon.
Kind regards
Michele Burgess
Learning Support
Sandwich Technology School
Kent, England
23rd January 2007
PS. At St Francis where I teach, three boys have had a turnaround in
their attitude to TTRS. One boy, told another pupil who had just been
introduced to the program and was using any fingers on the keys when she
thought I wasn't looking, "I used to be like that, but the way she says
is best!"
Jean Brims
Teacher
St Francis C of E Primary School
Peckham
London
England
3rd January 2007
From: South London, England.
"..........The school has referred approximately 10 children to us
and nearly all of those children have taken up places and are
progressing well. We also have children from the estate knocking on our
door and we have extended the numbers of children to about 15 who are
regularly using the centre to do TTRS. The children are excited about
the programme and they are bringing friends along and so we have a
waiting list. I have managed to find some more computers and have
purchased a new table so we will be able to have up to 8 computers
working at any one time. This will mean that we will need at least one
more CD rom with the sound card on if possible, please. At the end of
the school term I gave the school a certificate for each child who had
attended the TTRS sessions.
The adult session that we offer has generally been well attended. We
have had 2 of the adults leaving as they have gone on to get jobs. We
are very encouraged by this...... We will also be able to offer more
places as we now have more computers. The adults are very keen to use
this programme and we have only had positive feed back from them. We
have 3 adults continuing at the moment. One has some mild learning
difficulties, one is a teenage mum and the last is a middle aged lady
who has found leaving her house difficult but loves coming to Our
Community Centre and has only missed two sessions for doctors
appointments.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the TTRS
programme. We would like to continue to offer this facility at Our
Community Centre.
Yours
Audrey Humphreys
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