With assignments having to be submitted in typed format and computers prominent in practically every workplace, is it now essential to equip students with the fundamental skill of touch typing?
‘Keyboard skills are an absolutely critical twenty first century skill’, says Alan Tsui, Academic Enrichment Programmed Leader at Willow Brook Primary School Academy in East London. He included KAZ Type’s Touch typing software within his program to help take his school from ‘in Special Measures’ to one of the top performing schools in London.
Though the Department of Education encourages touch typing as part of digital literacy skills, it does not deem it compulsory for the curriculum like many other countries.
It is for this reason that forward thinking schools are taking the initiative and including teaching the skill into the school week, either during lesson time or offered at lunchtime or after school clubs.
Finding a typing program which is affordable and suitable for both mainstream students, as well as students with special educational needs is key and that is why Simon Luxford-Moore, eLearning Coordinator at ESMS in Edinburgh chose KAZ. ‘I was drawn to KAZ because they offer a neurodiverse version. I tend to work on the basis that if I can cater for that child with dyslexia or ASD, everybody will benefit’.
Although a British company, KAZ is used in schools all around the world. All their education licences include both their mainstream edition and their SEN/Dyslexia edition as a free option.

Their multi – sensory program uses a unique Accelerated Learning teaching method. Incorporating both 'muscle memory' and 'brain balance', it engages the major senses of sight, sound and touch simultaneously, radically enhancing memory retention and recall - which is why they are so effective.

Their SEN/Dyslexia option was developed with advice and guidance from the Dyslexia Research Trust and teaches typing skills whilst minimising visual disturbances by means of a unique preference screen, tailoring the course to each student for maximum visibility comfort. It is suitable for students with one or a combination of the following neurological differences: dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD and Tourette's, amongst others.

The program has proven so effective that it has been shortlisted as a finalist for several academic awards: BETT 2019, Teach Primary 2019 and Teach Secondary 2019.
In today’s world of computers and technology, teaching students the invaluable ‘life skill’ of touch typing offers them a new and powerful medium for learning and communicating and gives them a huge advantage, preparing then for further education, the working environment and life.
‘For this generation there are so many advantages to being able to touch type and I am delighted we have been able to get them started with KAZ Typing Tutor,’ says Mr Vivian, head of IT at Aysgarth Prep School in North Yorkshire.

To learn more and read case studies from schools visit their website

For further information contact: sheraleen@kaz-type.com