I have always dreamed of becoming a teacher, and I was very excited to see the technology we are currently working with is tied very close with my aspiration. However, when I began using certain programs, I realized I knew very little about some topics I consider important. I really wanted to learn more about Microsoft Excel; I feel it can be a very helpful tool in and out the classroom. I began by going to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/FX102254211033.aspx and searched specifically “formulas in excel.” It brought up a variety of functions; I chose adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. To add: Click a cell below the column of numbers or to the right of the row of numbers. Next click the Autosum button (resembles the Greek letter Sigma), and press enter.
To subtract: The formula is a function of each of the cells in the range you wish To subtract. For example, you may wish to subtract cells A2-A4. Remember, adding a negative number is the same as subtracting. So, Simply type =SUM(A2:A4) To multiply: Here you use the term “product” to multiply a range of cells. If you want to multiply cells A2-A5, you type =PRODUCT(A2:A5).
To divide: To do this task, you need to use the / (forward slash) key. If you wanted to divide cell A2 by A3, you would type =A2/A3.
After I learned the basics of formulas, I wanted to learn more about creating charts in excel, which could be very helpful for student activities. I stayed on http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/FX102254211033.aspx but this time I searched “charts in excel.” By reading through the tutorial and doing the steps, I learned how to create an excel chart. You begin with a blank worksheet, and arrange the data the way you want the chart to plot it. Next, you select only the cells you want the chart to use.After you select the cells, you click the Chart Wizard button on the toolbar. You will then proceed through a series of steps with the chart wizard; all steps are relatively simple and can easily be done (if you do need help, simply click the help bar!)
*Finally, after working through Excel, I looked through templates I found helpful for teachers. I am hoping to one day teach fourth or fifth grade mathematics, so I chose an award for the most improved student in this area. I feel it is very important to recognize when students show vast improvements, because it is often these students who are working the hardest. By giving the student most deserving of the award recognition, the teacher is communicating to him or her that hard work does indeed involve rewards. |