Supporting students as they learn to type involves careful observation and thoughtful guidance.
Students may try to type with their stronger fingers. Gently correct this early on by encouraging them to use the correct finger and return their fingers to the home position after typing a key.
Call out patterns rather than individual mistakes (“You’re overusing your index finger”)
Practice problem letters in isolation. Try putting some putty on the key to make it easier to find. Work the hands out before a typing session and practice regularly in short bursts.
If a student keeps looking down, place a dish towel / tea towel over their hands. Alternatively, you can cut holes in a shoebox and use this as a makeshift cover.
If a student is struggling to find the home row, place a small sticker or tactile marker on the F and J keys (home row anchors). Lightly remind them to feel where their hands are, not look.
If a student can’t keep their hands on the correct sides of the keyboard, it’s usually a coordination and habit issue—not a lack of ability. The key is to reduce the temptation to cross over and reinforce the correct movement patterns.
Look for the root cause of an issue
A student may consistently press the T key when they mean to press R.
However, you might notice that they hold their elbows wide, causing their hands to point inwards. When they move their left index finger straight upwards — the movement normally used to press R — their finger actually moves diagonally toward T.
In this case, the focus should be on adjusting the position of the elbows, not the fingers.
Work on one thing at a time
There will be plenty of opportunities to correct anything that might be going wrong, without trying to fix everything at once.
Slow them down
Have them type well below their normal speed. Tell them it’s okay to feel almost “too slow" and focus instead on using the correct fingers. You can also adjust their settings in TTRS so words per minute / typing speed is not displayed in their end-of-module results.
By observing carefully and making small, targeted adjustments, you can help students improve their technique step by step. With the right guidance and patience, your students will build confidence and achieve lasting success in their typing skills.