Spreadsheets ICT4U Spreadsheets ICT4U

In stage 4In stage 4

John LeyJohn Ley

Australian ICT InstituteAustralian ICT Institute

History Invited by the Principal of my school to

develop the spreadsheet ICT skills in stage 4.

In 2002 developed work booklet for year 8 In 2003 had all staff trained to deliver

material In 2004 focused on DS4.1 Data

Representation. Developed software support in year 7.

How it works? Classes were booked into the computer

room for a fortnight allowing 7 lessons for completion of the work booklet.

In 2005 a double period per fortnight for term 1 in year 7

Students work at their own pace through the work booklet.

Solutions and demonstrations available through the CD ROM when needed.

How was it assessed

Before students were given a pen and paper test covering all the skills that were to be developed.

In 2004 interactive automated computerised testing takes place using the CD ROM.

What was the skill level of the staff? Staff skill levels ranged from the high

level that designed the booklet to ‘What’s a mouse‘ level of ability.

After repeating the course with three different classes the computing teacher thought that there must be a better way and developed the CD ROM.

No teacher skill level required, students are autonomous learners.

What was the skill level of the students?

The student’s level of skill had a similar range to that of the staff.

There was peer mentoring within the class as students of high skill level assisted others.

How does it work? Students have their own work booklet

that they complete, writing in the answers and pasting in relevant spreadsheets.

There is an accompanying CD ROM that provides demonstrations, solutions, tests and other support material fully covering at a minimum, all aspects of the ICT requirements in spreadsheets.

Structure of the work booklet The work booklet begins with a

range of differentiated learning tasks establishing the advantages of particular forms of data representation.

The forms are Narrative Form on page 1 Tables page 3 Graphs

Glossary

The next exercise has a passage where terms need to be filled in.

Show extract- cloze activity page 5.

There is a glossary on the CD that is available to assist the student.

Will demonstrate glossary later.

Structure of work booklet 3 exercises on prose and tabular

form 13 spreadsheet exercises covering

all ICT skills. 6 further exercises on other stage 4

syllabus sections. See table page VI. Develop spreadsheet skills in first 13

exercises, consolidate throughout stage 4 with 6 further exercises.

Structure We will work through the first

spreadsheet exercise of the work booklet, on page 7, as a demonstration.

Each exercise identifies a list of new skills needed to complete the exercise reinforcing ongoing skill acquisition, providing a scaffold.

The CD ROM has a link for each of these, providing demonstrations.

Skills Demonstration

Use the CD to demonstrate now.

Demonstrate colours exercise

As the student progresses through the work booklet there are fewer new skills in each exercise and the degree of sophistication increases.

This allows the students to build new skills, reinforce acquired skills and have the opportunity to revisit skills not fully developed.

Demonstrate colours exercise

Colours exercise 4 page 13. Examine the exercise and consider

each of the questions. Demonstrate the solution from the

CD.

Exercise 13 colours 2

Examine exercise 13 colours 2 on page 35. This extends the previous exercise number 4, colours 1.

Consider the spreadsheet. Check solution

Assessment

The CD ROM has a number of tests that are self marking and scoring.

Demonstrate quizzes Work booklets are collected and

marked. Pen and paper test.

What else is there?

There are six other spreadsheet activities linked to other areas of the stage 4 syllabus as shown in this table.

This promotes further learning in spreadsheets and the stage 4 mathematics course and maintains the skills developed.

Promoting skilled learners Students develop spreadsheet skills as

independent learners. Students develop and attain skills in

interpreting visual data by being engaged learners. (From table to graph)

Students are more able to transfer and extract knowledge from a variety of visual forms. (SNAP)

The ICT4U Booklet

Provides a scaffold for student learning.

Students are explicitly taught. Demonstration, application, execution, repetition, construction and consolidation.

Allows students to have self paced learning.

The ICT4U Booklet

Continuum of skill development. Opportunity for parents to engage

in the learning. Complete activities at home.

No failure, promotes positive self esteem in a positive learning environment.

Price

RRP $14.95 Conference special discount makes

it $10. Schools sell to students for $10. Schools are charged $11 including $1 GST but claim the GST back.

AUSTRALIAN I.C.T INSTITUTEABN 26 467 318 723PO Box 8244 Glenmore Park NSW 2745Ph 0429 928 911fax 0247318939email sales@ict4u.com.auWebsitewww.ict4u.com.au