Bridging the Summer learning gap: The power of touch typing

Sponsored content by KAZ Touch Typing

As the summer holidays approach, pupils eagerly anticipate a break from the structured routines of school. While it’s essential to recharge and enjoy the summer, there is often a concern about the summer learning gap. This phenomenon, known as the ‘summer slide’, refers to the significant loss of academic skills and knowledge that can occur during an
extended break. Research has shown that this regression can impact core reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Fortunately, there is a way to bridge the gap and enhance pupils’ abilities with a valuable skill that can transform the summer break into a period of productivity – touch typing.

Touch typing is the skill of typing without looking at the keyboard. It involves using all digits to type quickly and accurately and relies on muscle memory. Whilst a seemingly simple process, touch typing can significantly impact pupils’ academic success.

KAZ Type’s inclusive, online touch-typing software is suitable for mainstream, neurodivergent, hearing and visually impaired learners. Its proven Accelerated Learning teaching method teaches the skill quickly and easily and can be attributed towards the skill’s section of the DofE Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

Enhance writing skills

One of the most significant advantages of learning to touch type is that it can enhance pupils’ writing skills, which is fundamental across all subjects. Learners can effortlessly translate their thoughts into words, boosting their writing speed and fluency and allowing focus on content and structure. This can lead to more thoughtful and improved composition skills.

Improve reading comprehension

Touch typing proficiency can also help with reading comprehension, as it allows pupils to focus more on the text they are reading rather than constantly looking up and down between the keyboard and screen. This simple difference can help with reading flow and understanding.

Reinforce spelling

Touch typing can also reinforce spelling and vocabulary, as the repetitive nature of practising exercises automatises correct spelling, builds muscle memory and expands vocabulary.

Increase productivity

Pupils who are proficient touch typists can complete assignments and projects quickly and efficiently.

SEN

From difficulties with writing to slow work rate, learning to touch type can help address challenges neurodivergent pupils face. The skill provides a new medium for learning and communicating, boosting confidence and encouraging independent learning.

By investing a little time each day to learn to touch type, pupils can acquire a valuable lifelong skill and transform their summer break into a period of growth and development.

Parents and teachers can offer encouragement by providing incentives, such as a reward for reaching a certain speed or accuracy level. They can also integrate touch typing into summer learning activities, such as having pupils type summaries of books they have read or journal entries about their summer experiences. Additionally, they can also encourage pupils to sit KAZ’s national Ofqual regulated qualifications in touch typing skills (Levels 1 & 2), which would add to their education records.

The summer holidays need not be a time of learning regression and missed opportunities. Learning to touch type offers an effective solution to bridge the learning gap.

To find out more, please visit KAZ Touch Typing’s on EdTech Impact.