KEY STAGE

APPROXIMATE TIME

SOFTWARE

3

7 weeks

Excel

TEACHING OBJECTIVES

What do I want the pupils to understand:

   The meaning of the term "spreadsheet"

   That a spreadsheet is used to do complicated, long and laborious calculations.

   That a spreadsheet is used by workers in business not only to do calculations, but also to help answer "what if...." type questions.

   Students need to understand the term Computer modelling and be able to use examples of modelling – Computer games, Weather Forecasting etc

   That it is quick and easy to convert data found in a spreadsheet into a graph.

What do I want the pupils to be able to do:

   To be able to enter data into a spreadsheet.

   To be able to change the data in a cell.

   To be able to use a formula to do a calculation.

   To be able to copy a formula

   To able to use data to produce a meaningful graph.

   To transfer their knowledge to novel contexts.

   To be able to change the variables in a computer model.

DIFFERENTIATION

MUST

SHOULD

COULD

To be able to enter data into a spreadsheet.

To be able to change the data in a cell.

To be able to use a formula to do a calculation.

To be able to copy a formula

To able to use data to produce a graph.

They use ICT-based models or simulations to help them find things out, and are aware of the consequences of their choices.

To able to use data to produce a meaningful graph.

Design their own spreadsheet and produce their own formulae with some prompting. They use ICT-based models and simulations to explore patterns and relationships, and make simple predictions about the consequences of their decisions.

To transfer their knowledge to novel contexts.

Design their own spreadsheet and produce their own formulae without prompting.

They explore the effects of changing the variables in an ICT-based model.

TARGET LEVEL

TARGET LEVEL

TARGET LEVEL

3

4

5

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Classroom demo.

Practical use of computers.

HOW IS THE UNIT TO BE ASSESSED?

Formative assessment using testing points

Worksheet MOD7TAS00 marked

Print outs from Excel.

Letter produced in Word.

RESOURCES

Worksheet – MOD7TAS

File - Toy

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED AT BEGINNING OF UNIT

How to load software.

How to open a file.

How to use a keyboard and mouse.

How to save a file and quit an application.

LESSON

1

Using formulae in spreadsheets is a difficult concept to teach and so it’s probably a good idea to take things fairly slowly. Start by demonstrating

the "magic" of a spreadsheet - how it automatically calculates totals

You could use the "Toys" file to do this or another simple example.

This could lead on to a discussion of who might need to use a spreadsheet and why. Students to write notes in their books. (30 mins)

Hand out the worksheets and get the students to copy the "Toys" file from the shared area. You may need to help some students to do this.

Students begin to use Toys File. (Explain to students that they must get there work checked at the testing points before continuing)

2

This lesson could start with a demonstration of how to create a graph.

Make it clear to them that they need to think carefully about which type of graph fit the data. This information is in the worksheet, but students may benefit from a little reinforcement. The students often fail to use the control key - make a point of telling them to use this.

Students should have begun to answer some of the questions.

Make sure that they use the testing points – This will allow you to assess their progress and clear up any problems.

3

You could start this lesson by explaining Computer Modelling, including Games and Predictive models. Use computer games as an example – What are the variables?

Students can continue completing work on the worksheet.

4

This lesson could start with a demonstration of how to make and copy a formula. You may need to explain the level 4 task.

Students continue to answer the questions.

5

Explain how spreadsheets can be used for computer modelling – What are the variables?

Students continue to answer the questions.

6

Students continue with work. Most students should have started their letter. Remember it must include how they set up their model and how they used it.

7

Students continue with work and all sheets and exercise books collected in. The levels completed are the levels that the student achieves. Look at books to see understanding.

HW – None