Setting

Description

Unlock all levels

When a student first begins TTRS, they are directed to begin with Module 1, Level 1. They must complete each module in order to access the next one. By turning this setting off, you can allow them to move around in the course and access different modules in a level or different levels in order to practice specific content.

Minimum pass mark required

This is the minimum accuracy score a student must achieve in order to move on to the next module. We recommend leaving this at 80%, but you may wish to lower it depending on your learner's individual needs.

Enable weekly goal
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You can set a weekly goal for your students on how many modules they'd like to complete. An average module takes about 5 minutes to complete. However, modules can take longer at the beginning as students get used to the hand positions. When your student has a weekly goal enabled, they'll also see a streak icon indicating the number of weeks in a row they have met their goal. This is a great way to motivate them and encourage consistent use of the program.

Enable dictation modules &
Enable show word option for dictation modules
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This setting allows you to enable or disable dictation exercises throughout the program. Typically, every fifth module in TTRS is a dictation exercise where students hear a word read aloud and must type it out by sound. Dictation exercises are a great way to strengthen spelling skills. If this setting is turned off, dictation exercises will become regular typing modules.
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The show word option for dictation modules gives students a button they can press during a dictation exercise to reveal a tricky word. This helps reduce frustration and ensures they don't get stuck and can carry on with the task.

Enable words review
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When this option is turned on, a spelling pre (words preview) and posttest (words review) will appear at the start and end of the level overview screen for Levels 2-24. These tests contain a curated set of words that a student must type, reflecting the main phonics and spelling patterns introduced at a level. They include image and audio context hints and help you measure spelling progress. When this is turned off, an older spelling assessment system will be activated, which generates a random set of words at a given level to serve as a spelling assessment. Learn more.

Enable free writing

When a student first opens the program, they are greeted by a welcome screen. From this screen, they may choose to begin a typing lesson or start a free writing composition where they can use their typing skills to produce original text. Admins can then view a student's written work and leave feedback. Toggling this switch will disable free writing so students are restricted to typing exercises only.

Enable typing screen themes
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If this option is enabled, students will be able to unlock fun background themes as they move through the Main Course modules. Once unlocked, a background theme can be applied in the student's Settings under the Appearance tab.

Show level trophies on a student's page
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When this setting is turned on, students can collect trophies as they move through TTRS levels. Trophies can be viewed under the Achievements tab of their “My Stats” page.

Show accuracy score in module completion window

If this option is enabled, students will see their accuracy score in the module completion window after each module. For students who become anxious about achieving a certain score, you may wish to turn this off.

Show WPM score in module completion window

If this option is enabled, students will see their Words Per Minute typing score displayed at the end of each module. By default, this is turned off to encourage beginner typists to focus on accuracy over speed.

Show graph in module completion window

If this option is enabled, students will see a graph with statistics for all completed modules in a level. If it’s turned off, they will see a compact version of the window without the graph. Some students may prefer not to see a graph or score.

Enable messaging

This setting allows your students to use the in-app TTRS messaging system to send you messages about their work. You can also use this system to send feedback on their progress.

Setting

Description

System theme

Choose between a light and dark system theme.

Background theme

Choose between unlocked or default typing screen themes, including the standard table and desk view.

Table texture

Depending on the selected background theme, choose between four different table colors for the desk display.

Keyboard color

Choose between a light or dark keyboard.

Font

Choose between Arial, Comic Sans, Open Sans and Open Dyslexic fonts.

Screen color / Hand color / Fingertip color / Word color / Copy text color

Choose between a variety of colors for each setting.

Mistyped letter

Choose a color for mistyped letters to be displayed in. This helps alert students to when they've made a mistake and need to correct an error.

Transparent hands

This setting allows students to maintain the on-screen hand guides without obscuring the letters on the keyboard

Setting

Description

Language

Set the program to teach US, UK, or AU English spelling conventions.

Hand guides

The hand guides are a set of visual guides which appear at the bottom of a student's screen when they are inside a TTRS module. They show the student how to type the lines that appear on the screen above. When a student has completed Level 3 of the TTRS Main Course, we recommend turning the hand guides off so the student can fully apply what they have learned. There are several options you can select. If your student isn't quite ready to type on their own, you can select moving hands but remove the letter key names from the screen. You can also choose to enlarge the text area and remove the keyboard altogether.

Spacebar

If a learner is unsure which thumb to use for the spacebar, they should try both to see which feels most natural and comfortable.

Enable copy typing

Copy typing is when there’s a line of text displayed above, and the student types on the line below. When this setting is turned off, students will overtype a word on the same line.

One-handed typing instruction
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This setting allows you to customize typing instructions for learners who can only use one hand. Once toggled on, you can select the hand you'd like the program to display.

Remember and repeat

Remember and repeat is a setting that helps students practice spelling. When it's turned on, a student types a word, then the word disappears. They must then type it again from memory. You'll see the RR symbol at the top of the module screen when a student is typing with this setting enabled.

Show WPM score

If this option is enabled, students will see their Words Per Minute typing score displayed alongside their typing accuracy as they progress through a module. This is turned off by default, so students can focus on accuracy instead of speed in the beginning. To bring their attention back to typing skills, toggle this switch on.

Setting

Description

Audio type

Choose between the "Speak 1 Word," at a time "Speak 3 Words" and "Speak Full Sentence" options.

Voice

There are four UK, three US, and two AU voices to choose from. If you see * next to a name, it means it's a computer-generated voice. You must select a voice that corresponds to the language and spelling conventions selected in the Typing settings tab. Students can also select their preferred voice from their account settings. Note, only certain voices are available for some TTRS Subjects.

Play word audio

When this setting is turned on, students hear the words read aloud as they are typed. We recommend leaving this setting on.

Announce spacebar out loud & Announce scores out loud
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These settings announce the spacebar needed between words and report a student's end-of-module performance out loud. They're particularly useful for learners with visual impairment and visual processing disorders.

Play end of module applause

This setting ensures applause plays for scores over 90%.

Training

When this is turned on, students will hear a voice explaining typing hand position and basic instructions in the first eight modules of Level 1. We recommend leaving this setting on.

Setting

Description

Announce backspace key

When this is turned on, the backspace key will be announced whenever a student makes a mistake. This can be demotivating and frustrating for some users, especially those who struggle with fine motor skills and/or auditory processing difficulties.

As the on-screen hand guides also indicate the backspace key, you can try turning this setting off to see if it is less distracting for your student.

One mistake option

When the one mistake option is enabled, a user must correct any mistakes before moving on. To ensure accuracy in spelling and typing, we recommend leaving this setting on.
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When the 'one mistake' option is disabled, users can still make mistakes while typing and still complete a module. Keys that were typed incorrectly will be shown on screen using the mistyped letter color that was selected under the appearance settings.