Preparing your Learning Activity

As part of your application, you are required to design a short digital learning activity demonstrating both your Microsoft Excel expertise and your ability to create engaging, authentic learning experiences.

The purpose of this activity is not simply to assess your technical knowledge of Excel, but to provide insight into your instructional design skills, educational philosophy and ability to communicate complex concepts to novice learners.

Your submission should reflect the DLA approach to teaching, learning and assessment by creating an authentic, structured and student-centred learning experience.

Learning Activity Brief:

Design a learning activity that teaches one Microsoft Excel formula, function, feature or technique that you believe every accounting student should know.

The activity should enable first-year accounting students to understand the (i) concept, (ii) practice it with guidance and then (iii) apply it independently within an authentic accounting or business context.

Your Learning Activity Should Include:

1. Authentic context:

Introduce a realistic accounting or business scenario that demonstrates why the Excel feature is useful in professional practice.

Explain:

• the business problem being addressed;

• why the chosen Excel feature is appropriate; and

• how it supports professional decision-making or improves efficiency.

2. Guided learning:

Create a short instructional video in which you:

• introduce the Excel concept or feature;

• explain when and why it should be used;

• demonstrate its application using the authentic scenario; and

• guide students through a short practical exercise as they follow along.

The video should assume no prior knowledge beyond that expected of first-year students.

3. Independent practice:

Develop a second activity that students complete independently during a facilitated practical session.

The exercise should require students to apply what they have learned in a similar, but not identical, scenario, providing an opportunity to demonstrate independent understanding.

Design Considerations:

Target Audience:

Design the activity for first-year students enrolled in either: DLA122 – Spreadsheet Software for Accountants, or DLA152 – Introductory Spreadsheet Automation The level of complexity should be appropriate for the selected module.
(Refer to the relevant module coverage for appropriate difficulty and focus.)

Teaching Approach:
Your activity should reflect the DLA educational philosophy by incorporating:

• authentic, real-world learning;

• structured scaffolding;

• active student participation;

• clear progression from supported learning to independent application; and

• thoughtful instructional design.

Platform:
Use Google Sites to create a single learning activity page.
(This will serve as a proxy for an activity page on our Learning Management System, EMSLearn.)

Resource Organisation:
All learning materials should be clearly organised and easily accessible. If you provide downloadable resources (such as Excel workbooks), these should be shared via Google Drive or another suitable platform with appropriate access permissions.

Time Expectation:
An average student should be able to complete the entire learning activity in approximately 15 minutes.

Submission Instructions:

• Publish your Google Site and ensure that anyone with the link can view your page.

• Do not register a custom domain.

• Include the URL link to your published Google Site in your cover letter, as part of your application submission.

Assessment Criteria:

Your submission will be evaluated holistically with reference to:

• the authenticity and educational value of the learning activity;

• clarity of explanation and communication;

• quality of instructional design and scaffolding;

• suitability for the intended student audience;

• effective use of technology;

• organisation and usability of the Google Site; and

• technical accuracy of the Excel content.