Spreadsheet tutorials/Content design

Spreadsheet tutorials is envisioned to be a set of tutorials for learning how to work with spreadsheets. The goal is to create modularized learning materials which are grouped together to suit various learning contexts:
 * the use of spreadsheets to support learning in different subject areas, e.g., beginning algebra, financial literacy, introductory statistics, introductory accounting
 * the use of different spreadsheet software and operating systems.

The initial offerings will be tutorials providing basic instruction in using a spreadsheet.

Some basics for how the learning materials will work
The learning materials will be structured to include the following:
 * step-by-step follow-along instructions: do this, then this, then this -- such that the learner acts in step with the instructions
 * frequent screen images, to help orient the learner as to how to accomplish speicific tasks
 * occasional screencasts (short videos) showing how to do specific tasks
 * an independent practice activity at the end of each learning module

Structuring the Content
Organize the material into chunks (i.e., modules). Here are some possibles at the intro level:

Based on COL Open ICDL materials
The following section headings are adapted for application to spreadsheets in general. Also a practice activity is added as relevant.

Introduction to spreadsheets

 * Overview
 * Development of the spreadsheet
 * Design considerations for spreadsheet documents
 * Summary

Using the Spreadsheet Application: The Basics

 * Overview
 * Opening and closing the spreadsheet software
 * Creating, opening, and closing spreadsheets
 * Creating a new spreadsheet
 * Opening an existing spreadsheet from within the software application
 * Closing a single spreadsheet
 * Working with multiple spreadsheets
 * Close more than one spreadsheet
 * Saving spreadsheets
 * Saving on the hard drive of your computer
 * Save an existing file under another name
 * Save in another file type
 * Save different Versions
 * Getting Help
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

Working with spreadsheets

 * Overview
 * Locating the components of the spreadsheet window
 * The spreadsheet window explained
 * Spreadsheet toolbars
 * The Menu Toolbar
 * The Function Toolbar
 * The Formatting Toolbar
 * The Formula Toolbar
 * The Spreadsheet Work Area
 * Columns, Rows and Cells
 * Tabs
 * Adjusting the application settings
 * Magnification Tools
 * Modifying Options (show/hide toolbars)
 * To show or hide toolbars:
 * To modify a toolbar:
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

Adding content to spreadsheets

 * Overview
 * Scenario
 * Working with cells
 * Selecting cells and cell ranges
 * Entering data in cells
 * Editing data
 * Using Undo/Redo
 * Numerical data
 * Date format of data
 * Using Find and Replace
 * Replacing text or data
 * Sorting data
 * Formatting cells
 * Formatting appearance
 * Merging cells
 * Text wrapping
 * Copying and Moving cells
 * Using Autofill
 * Working with rows and columns
 * Inserting and deleting rows and columns
 * To insert a row or column:
 * Exercise on the Scenario
 * Delete a row or column
 * Formatting rows and columns
 * Row height
 * Column width
 * Working with worksheets
 * Rename a worksheet
 * Switch between worksheets
 * Insert a new worksheet
 * Duplicate a worksheet
 * Delete a worksheet
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

Formulas and Functions

 * Overview
 * Arithmetic formulas
 * Creating formulas
 * Arithmetic operators
 * Using cell references in formulas
 * Relative cell references
 * Absolute cell references
 * Functions
 * Cell ranges
 * Exercise on the Scenario
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

Charts and graphs

 * Overview
 * Types of charts
 * Creating charts from cell data
 * Modifying a chart
 * Move the chart to its own worksheet
 * Resize the chart
 * Change chart type
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

Preparing spreadsheets for output

 * Overview
 * Setting up a worksheet for printing
 * Worksheet orientation
 * Headers and Footers
 * Headers
 * Footers
 * Printing worksheets
 * Setting the print area
 * Printing
 * Practice activity
 * Self Assessment
 * Summary

A previous CCNC/Calc content layout
The is similar to the Open ICDL materials. Differences are in the beginning sections: Getting to know application includes two sections in Open ICDL materials. There are a few additional topics included.

Getting to know the application

 * Creating, opening and closing spreadsheets
 * Locating the components of the spreadsheet Screen (software specific?)
 * Saving spreadsheets
 * Handling worksheets
 * Activity
 * Summary

Working with and in cells

 * Selection in a worksheet
 * Inserting within a worksheet
 * Deleting rows and columns in a worksheet
 * Modifying column widths and row heights
 * Entering data in cells
 * Making changes to the contents of cells
 * Duplicate, move, delete
 * Shifting cells
 * Speeding up data entry
 * Search and replace
 * Sorting data
 * Activity
 * Summary

Working with Formulas and Functions

 * Arithmetic formulas
 * Error values when using formulas
 * Cell referencing
 * Working with functions
 * Using the logical function IF
 * Activity
 * Summary

Formatting cells

 * Formatting cells containing numeric data
 * Changing the appearance of cell contents
 * Miscellaneous formatting techniques
 * Activity
 * Summary

Creating charts and graphs

 * About charts and graphs
 * Customising chart type for selected data
 * Making changes to an existing chart or graph
 * Moving, duplicating, resizing, deleting
 * Activity
 * Summary

Preparing the spreadsheet for distribution

 * Are all data accurate?
 * Setting up the worksheet
 * Making other adjustments to the worksheet
 * Preparing to print
 * Printing
 * Activity
 * Summary