Third Quarter - Excel and EOFC Project

This Third Quarter we will continue with a few more Excel Exercises and then (after the Winter Break) we will start the "Exploring Our Future Careers (EOFC) Project."

On Monday, February 13, 2012 you will create an exercise similar to the Excel Exercise No. 5 (BSC Ex 05). You can work in groups of two (but each student has to create this exercise). You will go to the following websites and do some research on the 15 highest paying jobs in 2011. You will visit: Jobs 1 and Jobs 2 (click on these links) and copy the data for Average Annual Salary and Current Employment into an Excel Workbook (use the cnbc.com site for gathering your data). You will create a Table (Spreadsheet) on Sheet 1 with the following information: Jobs, Average Annual Salary and Current Employment and enter the necessary information there. Your table must have a Main Title and Subtitles. Enter the data, format the numbers properly (Currency - No Decimals), and Sort the information from Largest to Lowest Salary (unless you already entered the information this way). Copy this table (all the information on Sheet 1) and paste it on Sheet 2 (you need it on Sheet 2 to create a Pie Chart there later).

Create a Column Chart on Sheet 1 of the 6 highest paying jobs only (highest Average Annual Salary). The Column Chart should have a main title and Axes Labels (title for y axis and title for x axis), also add Data Labels (to view the salaries on top of the columns). Then go to Sheet 2, Sort the information on Current Employment from Largest to Smallest (select all columns to do the sort) and create a Pie Chart with the Current Employment Data of the 6 Careers that employ the most people in the USA (the Pie Chart should have Data Labels - Values and Percentages). Enter your Name and Period Number in the Footer and the Today's Date formula under the tables (Sheet 1 and Sheet 2). Put the Charts below the tables (on Sheet 1 and Sheet 2) and print the worksheets for Mrs. Feld (with your Name, Period No. in the Footer of both worksheets). Change the margins if necessary, so that everything looks centered nicely on the page (good presentation). If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

EOFC Project:

Mrs. Feld will give you a handout and explain the project. Please read the instructions carefully and spend a good amount of time researching the type of careers you think you'll be interested in pursuing in your future.

Goal: to do some research about possible future careers. Students should select at least six “possible” future careers (even if it’s different careers in just one field, e.g. Healthcare). Each field of interest has many different possibilities.

You will work individually for this project (it is not a “group project” – but you can help each other while you’re working on it).

The websites to check are: http://www.bls.gov/. From this site you can also go to: www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm, www.bls.gov/k12/azlist.htm, http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm (Check the Occupational Outlook Handbook, OOH 2010-2011). You can also check: http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes_alph.htm for an alphabetical list of careers. You can also go back to the links above (Jobs 1 and Jobs 2) for more information.

Other good sites are:
http://www.usnews.com, http://www.princetonreview.com/careers-after-college.aspx www.jobbankinfo.org/ (Explore Careers, Browse Occupations, Salary Information) www.careerbuilder.com/ careerpath.com/defaultb.asp www.monster.com/.

The Word Document - with a brief description of your careers and with information on the Average Annual Salary and an Estimate on the number of jobs available (Current Employment) for that profession in the United States (or locally, if you prefer to select a particular city or state) - is due: Friday, March 9, 2012. Please: no more than two pages long. You will save it in the Server (don't print!).

You will also create Excel Worksheets and Excel Charts and then a PowerPoint Presentation explaining the careers chosen, including the Excel Tables and Charts.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney

“Be courageous! Dare to explore what you love and what is most important to you. Don’t waste time assessing yourself as you are now. Dream and plan for who you want to be in the future.”
~ Betty Jo Matzinger Lash, Associate Director, Georgetown University Career Center

“When looking for any position, I look for people who have a grasp of computers and good communication skills. I also look for people who can work well with others, adapt easily to change, and be creative when looking for new ways to do things.”
~ Debbie Bornholdt, Human Resource Manager QVC, Electronic Retailer West Chester, PA

EXCEL and Third Quarter

On January 23rd we started our Third Quarter. We will continue learning EXCEL - the Spreadsheet Program, and we'll work on a few more exercises and learn how to create charts. We will also cover part of Chapter 5 (Microsoft Office 2010 textbook). Every Friday you will do a Timed Writing, that you will print for Mrs. Feld (2-minute and 3-minute). There are 13 Timed Writings, you can do the ones you haven't done yet and/or repeat others. Mrs. Feld may add some new ones as well.

Excel Test: Friday, February 10, 2012. Review your Excel notes (from PowerPoint presentation) and the handouts Mrs. Feld gave you - the Excel Simple Formulas Paper and the Spreadsheets and Excel Paper. You must understand basic formulas (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, average, square root and numbers squared). You will also have an Excel exercise (to create a table) and will have to create one or two charts. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

Vocabulary: Excel, workbook, worksheet, ribbon, active cell, cell, title bar, quick access toolbar, name box, cell address or cell reference, formula bar, scroll bars, sheet tabs, worksheet area, gridlines, status bar, column, column identifiers, row, row identifiers, cell pointer and AutoFill Handle (or Fill Handle). Also the "automatic features" in Excel (learn to identify them): AutoSum, AutoFill, AutoComplete, AutoCorrect and AutoCalculate. When do you see number symbols (###) in your cells? What are labels? What are values? What are formulas? Which sign or symbol must be entered first when entering a formula in Excel? How do you change the column width in Excel? How do you change the row height? How do you change the alignment of titles or text in cells? How do you "wrap" text in cells? How do you add borders to your table? What is a chart?

A chart is a visual representation of worksheet data. A chart can enhance and simplify the understanding of numerical data in a worksheet because the relationship between data is illustrated. You can check your notes and Chapter 5 in the Microsoft Office 2010 textbook to answer some of these questions. Also check the Chapter Summary.

MIDTERM REVIEW 2012

For the Midterm, please study from your notes (from the PowerPoint Presentations I showed you in class and any handouts I gave you. Also study from your Tests and Quizzes. There will be two timings for this exam: a 3-minute timing and a 2-minute timing – I’ll let you know which ones you’ll do the day of the exam. You may want to practice 3-minute timings (from the Timed Writings) and the Measurement Writings (2-minute timings) of the Skill Builder Lessons.

1. Computer Concepts: (STUDY YOUR COMPUTER CONCEPTS’ NOTES)

What is a computer? What is hardware (name the four types of hardware)? What are Input Devices (name four and define)? What are Output Devices (name four and define)? What is the Central Processing Unit? What are storage devices (name four and define)? What is software (name the two types of software)? What is Digital? What is RAM? What is ROM? What are binary numbers? What is a bit? What is a byte? Kilobytes? Megabytes? Gigabytes? What is a network? What is a server? What is the Internet? What are telecommunications? What are modems? What is the World Wide Web? What is a Web Site? What is a Web Page? What is a Web Browser? What is a URL (give one example)? What is “http”? What is a “domain”? What are URL identifiers (give four examples)?

Vocabulary: Digital, Digital System, Digitize, Bits, Bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Ergonomics, Ergonomists, Posture, Christopher Latham Sholes, QWERTY, Computer, Hardware, Input Devices, Memory, Integrated Circuits, Processing Devices, Central Processing Unit, Output Devices, Software, Data Bus, Storage Devices, Inkjet Printers, Laser Printers, RAM, ROM, Network, Server, The Internet, Connectivity, Telecommunications, The World Wide Web (WWW), Web Site, Web Page, Web Browser, Domain, URL, Copyrights.

2. What are Copyrights? Why are they important?

3. Ergonomics:

What is ergonomics? Why is it important to follow ergonomic rules? Name four ergonomic rules (or tips). What are ergonomists? What is the right ergonomic position you should use when typing (mention four rules)? Why is good posture important?

4. KEYBOARDING:

a. Home Row Keys: Which are the letters of the Home Row? Which fingers do you use to type the Home Row keys? What is the first goal in Keyboarding?

b. What is Touch-Typing?

c. Which letters does each finger type (mention both left and right hand fingers)? What fingers do you use to key the Space Bar?

d. Who invented the “Type Writer”? When? What is the official name of the present keyboard? Why was the first typewriter designed to slow down the typist?

5. EXCEL:

We will start learning Excel this month. You will have to study whatever we cover during the week before the exams (January 17 – 20). There may be a small Excel exercise (similar to the ones practiced in class) in the Keyboarding Midterm (if we cover this before the Exams).

a. What is Excel? What is a Spreadsheet? What is a Workbook? What are Worksheets? What is the Worksheet Area? What are rows? What are columns? What are “cells” in Excel?

b. Mention at least six elements or parts of an Excel Worksheet and explain what these are.

c. What is the “cell reference”? What is an “active cell”?

d. What is the AutoFill Fill Handle?

e. What are the five Automatic Features of the Excel Program? The “AutoComplete” Feature, The “AutoCorrect” Feature, The “AutoFill” Feature, The “AutoSum” Feature and The “AutoCalculate” Feature. Understand what these are.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.

Assignment for December 5th

Dear Students: Sorry I cannot be in school today. Please check the assignments below.

Today you will continue with the Creating a Business Project. Please find your folder (if you need it) on the floor near my desk. Try to keep them in order and by Period. I'll appreciate your cooperation.

You can continue with the logo, if you haven't completed it yet. Once done, you must save it as a JPEG in the Server under "keyboardall" inside the "keyboardassignments" folder (under your Period Number > under the Creating your Business folder > under your Group No.). I know, it's a challenge! To save a a JPEG you simply go to File > Save As > and where it says Save as Type (bottom of window) you scroll down until you find "JPEG."

You can continue reading the instructions and start your Business Cards. Please read the instructions you have carefully. Open Publisher and like the instructions say: Select Business Cards in “New” to select a template of your choice – which you can customize to your liking (or go to Blank Sizes at the bottom and select Business Card 3.5” x 2” and click “Create”). To increase or reduce the size of your document, use the slider at the bottom right. Make sure you see 10 business cards per page when selecting Print Preview (in File). Since you have to create a Letterhead also, you may want to look at some samples of letterheads online (go to Google images and enter letterhead). Or look at the samples Publisher offers. The instructions should say: Create a new Publisher Publication selecting Letterhead under New (the instructions I gave you say "Publication Types" - but this was for the 2007 version, please correct this). You can also design your own letterhead but it must match the business cards.

Remember: each group member must create everything (logo, business cards, letterhead, and the other publications). But you must use the logo selected per group - the same logo in all publications. If you have any questions, please ask Mrs. Schuster or ask me when I return to school.

You may also want to continue working on your Keyboarding Lessons; especially if you have questions regarding the project or don't understand some of the instructions. Please work quietly and do your best! THANK YOU!

PowerPoint Presentations (Assignments)

While I'm at Kairos, you will create two PowerPoint Presentations ("Better Burger" and "Stress"). The first one is already almost done, all you have to do is add a template to it (slide design), add some Clip Art, change the font to your liking (the same throughout the whole presentation), etc. The second one is a presentation called "Stress." Please READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. The instructions and the Better Burger Presentation can be found in the Server (Labserver) under Classes 11-12 in "keyboardall" inside the "keyboardassignments" folder. You will also receive print-outs of these instructions.

If you need to check the Microsoft Office 2010 textbook to learn how to create better presentations or how to add transitions or animations (or other), please feel free to use it. Check the PowerPoint Chapter starting on page 463. The textbooks are in the black metal bookshelf on the left side of the Windows Lab. You can also help each other, but please work quietly and be considerate with the Substitute Teacher. I will ask him/her about your behavior and cooperation. He/she will have seating charts, so that they can monitor your work better.

You can also work on your Keyboarding Lessons (MicroType) and if you wish, practice some of the Timed Writings, like I showed you Monday in class (using the www.sense-lang.org/typing website - using the Typing Tutorials and clicking the Practice your own text green button and then entering the text of the timing in the white box and clicking "practice the text" tab. You may want to practice Timed Writings 1 - 5 first (one, two or three paragraphs). If you are more advanced, you may practice any of the other timings (6 - 13).

When I come back from Kairos I will check your reports to see how you are doing and if everyone completed the Alphabetic Keyboarding Lessons. Those who haven't completed these lessons can concentrate on finishing them, instead of working on timings. Those who started working on the Keyboarding Skill Builder Lessons can work on timings, or repeat the Timed Practices in the Skill Builder Lessons. Remember: those working on these Skill Builder lessons must first work on Accuracy (Focus: Accuracy).

GOOD LUCK!

Second Quarter - November through January

Many of you already completed the Alphabetic Keyboarding Lessons. Some of you are still working on these lessons. I need to remind you that the goal of this class is to help you learn to type better, using correct posture, technique, accuracy and speed (besides learning Microsoft Office 2010 - Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher). After you complete the Alphabetic Lessons your timing should be at least 35 words per minute (GWAM) with less than 6 errors (ideally less than 3) and less than 6 backspaces. If you are not at this level after completing these lessons I suggest you repeat the exercises in the Alphabetic Lessons.

I'm hoping that you are honest with yourself and recognize where you are. How do you need to improve? Do you need to work on "fingering"? Are you still looking a lot at the keyboard when typing? You really should be able to type without looking at the keys at all, using "muscle memory." If you don't automatically find the keys when typing an exercise or a timing, you MUST repeat lessons. Practice makes PERFECT!

If you feel that you are at the 35 or more words per minute and are using correct technique and don't have any difficulty staying on the Home Row Keys and finding all the letters, etc. You can start with the Keyboarding Skill Builder Lessons. You can start with Assessment No. 1. You must do all these lessons (A - T) and the five Assessments as "Accuracy" first (look at the bottom of the program's screen... Focus: Accuracy (it shouldn't say Focus: Speed). You will do all these lessons emphasizing accuracy first and then repeat all of them emphasizing speed. You will find some 2 minute Timed Practices in these lessons (you may repeat these timed practices to get better with "timed drills").

Also, please work on some of the Timed Writings (left side of MicroType Main Menu) - remember you must navigate to Options in "keyboardall" under Classes 11-12 in the Labserver to get to these timings. If you have any questions, please ask Mrs. Feld. (Ideally you should time yourself for at least two minutes).

If you need some reinforcement, there are some very good websites with free typing exercises online. I suggest: www.sense-lang.org/typing, www.typingweb.com and 20 FREE keyboarding resources (where you can find links to several keyboarding websites). So, when you're bored at home, practice some keyboarding lessons while listening to your favorite music.

This Second Quarter, you will work on a few other PowerPoint Exercises (professional presentations) on various themes. We will also do some textbook exercises. In December you will work on the Creating a Business Project (also known as SBA for Small Business Adventurers).

In January you will start learning (or reviewing) Excel. You will work on several Excel Exercises, first learning to create spreadsheets and later creating graphs (charts). We will also work on some textbook exercises.

January 20th is the end of the Second Quarter. I wish you all the best! Stay positive!

MicroType 4 and More Computer Concepts

You already started using the MicroType Keyboarding Program. I'm hoping that most of you complete up to lesson 10 of the Alphabetic Keyboarding Lessons by Friday, September 30th. But, please remember: if you feel that you should repeat the lessons, I encourage you to do so (and don't worry too much about this). These first lessons are very important! If you are still having difficulties finding the right keys, or using the right fingers, you must definitely repeat them. As you advance, the lessons will get harder and once you get to the Skill Builder Lessons, you must have very good dominion of the Alphabetic Keys. It will be harder for you to do well on timings, if you don't practice a lot and repeat many of these lessons. The first goal is ACCURACY!

Little by little you'll acquire SPEED. But proper technique and fingering are essential!

We will also continue with the Computer Concepts presentation, to cover the terms mentioned in my previous entry - that we haven't covered yet. You can type your notes and print them for yourselves.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Feld.