Some learners will reach the Middle Level (grades 6, 7, 8, and 9) with little or no previous keyboarding experience. Other learners, who have had the benefit of touch keyboarding instruction at the Elementary Level, may already be equipped with expertise in the skill of touch keyboarding and may require a further challenge in the Middle Level. To accommodate the Middle Level students with the variety of keyboarding experiences and the variances in the physical arrangements for offering keyboarding, a modular format for Middle Level keyboarding is offered. Modules offer maximum flexibility to schools in adapting and implementing the recommendations in this document to suit individual situations.
The Middle Level keyboarding program offers six modules.
Each module has been designed to accommodate the needs of a specific student audience, identified as "target learners". Figure 2 on page 31 provides an overview of the modules with suggested target learners, prerequisites, and time allotments. Modification to the modules is encouraged as required.
The modules may be offered independently or in any combination that will suit the needs of the learners. Suggestions for possible module combinations are given on page 38 as starting points in building a Middle Level keyboarding program.
The learning competencies and suggested content and requirement for each module are identified in this section. This information focuses on the development and extension of keyboarding and information processing knowledge, skills, and values. Teachers are reminded that keyboarding and information processing skills are cumulative. Their successful development at any level is highly dependent upon the success attained at the previous level.
Competencies of each module should be studied and modified to suit the student's age, maturity, and physical capabilities; the availability of personnel, time, and equipment; students' previous keyboarding experience; and, the tasks students should be accomplishing with their new keyboarding skills.
Module 1 of the guidelines is intended for those students who have not previously completed a touch keyboarding program. Module 2, to be offered simultaneously with Module 1, is intended for students who have completed a touch keyboarding program at the Elementary Level and require only reinforcement and review of the keyboard. Although the suggested time requirement is different for Modules 1 and 2, the learning competencies are identical. Students using Module 2 already equipped with touch keyboarding skills may require only 8 hours to reinforce and review the alphanumeric keyboard. Students in Module 1 with little or no previous keyboarding experience need at least 18 hours to learn the alphanumeric keyboard with additional hours for instruction and practice time.
Checklists in the Templates for Assessment and Evaluation section of these guidelines are provided as starting points for assessing the formatting skills suggested in Modules 1, 2, and 4. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the keyboarding program as required and note that throughout the program, students should be striving to build and maintain a positive attitude and develop the ability to follow both oral and written instructions.
| Module | Required Time | Target Learners |
| Module 1: Learn to Keyboard by Touch | 25 hours | Students who have not previously completed a touch keyboarding program. |
| Module 2: Touch Keyboarding Refresher Program | 15 hours | Students who have already completed a touch keyboarding program at the Elementary Level and require only reinforcement and review. |
| Module 3: Information Processing Activities
Suggested Prerequisite: Module 1 or 2 | 10 hours | Students who have reviewed and reinforced existing touch keyboarding skills. |
| Module 4: An Introduction to Word Processing and Formatting
Suggested Prerequisite: Module 1 or 2 | 25 hours | Students who can keyboard by touch and are comfortable with the keyboard. |
| Module 5: An Introduction to Graphics Application
Suggested Prerequisite: Module 4 | 10 hours* | Project work for those students who have mastered touch keyboarding, word processing, and formatting competencies. |
| Module 6: Information Processing Project
Suggested Prerequisite: Module 4 | 20 hours* | Project work, possibly in conjunction with another area of study, for those students who have mastered touch keyboarding, word processing, and formatting competencies. This module requires 15 hours of computer time in addition to five hours of research. |
* The scope and time frame of Modules 3, 5 and/or 6 could be extended as necessary. Examples of extensions to Modules 3, 5 and/or 6 may include: students expanding their processing of existing projects, students processing information for additional topics from a list of suggested activities, or students creating independent integrated projects. Refer to Appendix A for some sample activities and ideas that could be used.