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

(: is it useful to include a self-assessment activity at the end of each module? --Alison Snieckus 22:46, 19 March 2012 (UTC))

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