If you haven't checked out my syllabus for my 5-week Beginning Excel class, you can find it here.
If you missed Week 1 - The Basics, you can find that here.
If you missed Week 2 - The Worksheet, you can find it here.
If you missed Week 3 - Formulas, you can find it here.
If you missed Week 2 - The Worksheet, you can find it here.
If you missed Week 3 - Formulas, you can find it here.
If you are looking to purchase the book I use for this course, you can find it used and fairly inexpensive here. There may be some new or hardcover, but I generally use spiral bound.
If you have made it to week 4, you're doing GREAT!
Because it's all pretty simple here on out.
I always make sure to have an 'easy' class after a hard one. And after you spend 2 hours trying to learn how to do Formulas, it's always good to learn something a little easier the next class. That's what my students tell me anyway.
So...we start working on formatting in Week 4.
Ah, the art of formatting cells. They're always fun, aren't they?
The easiest way to teach this is to have fun with it. I'm serious! Fun should always be a component of learning. If your students aren't having fun, it might be time to change that.
Fun always begins with you, the instructor. If you don't foster a safe, fun environment, they'll have a difficult time learning.
The best way to foster an environment of fun is to keep things light. Don't get frustrated. We all learn at different speeds. We all have different stories and backgrounds. Share who you are and add your own twist of fun to whatever you're teaching.
Formatting is easy when you have something you want your students to copy. So, I usually make a grocery list or roster for them to format. Today, I'll use a roster.
If you have made it to week 4, you're doing GREAT!
Because it's all pretty simple here on out.
I always make sure to have an 'easy' class after a hard one. And after you spend 2 hours trying to learn how to do Formulas, it's always good to learn something a little easier the next class. That's what my students tell me anyway.
So...we start working on formatting in Week 4.
Ah, the art of formatting cells. They're always fun, aren't they?
The easiest way to teach this is to have fun with it. I'm serious! Fun should always be a component of learning. If your students aren't having fun, it might be time to change that.
Fun always begins with you, the instructor. If you don't foster a safe, fun environment, they'll have a difficult time learning.
The best way to foster an environment of fun is to keep things light. Don't get frustrated. We all learn at different speeds. We all have different stories and backgrounds. Share who you are and add your own twist of fun to whatever you're teaching.
Formatting is easy when you have something you want your students to copy. So, I usually make a grocery list or roster for them to format. Today, I'll use a roster.
You can have them copy this roster onto their own worksheet. Once they have it copied, you can have them begin formatting the roster.
This is a good opportunity to refresh Font, Font Size, Bold, Italicize, Alignment, Borders, Colors, and Merge & Center.
I always begin with "Class Roster". Have them bold, italicize, color, or change the font and font size. Add in borders and merge the header. Be creative.
When they're done, hopefully it looks a little something like this.
Each students will look different, but the point is to create a roster that they will like. Encourage use of colors, fonts and alignment changes.
My students spend lots of time playing around with all the buttons. This is also a great exercise to help them become more familiar with the Home tab.
When they are finished, ask them to make suggestions for lists to format. Or ask them to make their own.
I have my students print theirs out. This is also a great lesson to teach printing worksheets. You can cover printing in landscape as well.
As you can tell, a lot of my teaching is off the cuff. I'm flexible.
Make a list of things you want to cover this class like format, printing and merge & center, and cross them off as you come to them. You may get to all of them or none of them. I have learned that teaching is a fine art and often crosses a thin line between preparation and chaos.
Don't stress; remember last week was exhausting with Formulas. It pays to give your students a down week.
This is also a good week to do a short review of EVERYTHING you have covered. All three weeks that led up to week four.
As always, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below.
Interested in buying the book I use for this class? Check out MY STORE to buy Labyrinth Learning's Microsoft Excel 2010: Level 1.
Happy Teaching!
Jessica
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