Course Title: Produce spreadsheets

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: COSC5942C

Course Title: Produce spreadsheets

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4340 - Certificate IV in Frontline Management

Course Contact : Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email:sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Philip Bowler (Available Thursdays and Fridays for assistance - Building 80, Level 5 Staff Room)

Philip.bowler@rmit.edu.au

Gary Brown

gary.brown@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 35

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop spreadsheets through the use of spreadsheet software.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBITU304A Produce spreadsheets

Element:

1. Select and prepare resources

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Adhere to ergonomic, work organisation and
occupational health and safety requirements
1.2. Use energy and resource conservation techniques to
minimise wastage
1.3. Identify spreadsheet task requirements in relation to
data entry, storage, output and presentation

Element:

2. Plan spreadsheet design

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Ensure spreadsheet design suits the purpose,
audience and information requirements of the task
2.2. Ensure spreadsheet design enhances readability and
appearance, and meets organisational and task
requirements for style and layout
2.3. Use style sheets and automatic functions to ensure
consistency of design and layout

Element:

3. Create spreadsheet

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Ensure data is entered, checked and amended to
maintain consistency of design and layout, in
accordance with organisational and task
requirements
3.2. Format spreadsheet using software functions to
adjust page and cell layout to meet information
requirements, in accordance with organisational style
and presentation requirements
3.3. Ensure formulae are tested and used to confirm
output meets task requirements, in consultation with
appropriate personnel as required
3.4. Use manuals, user documentation and online help to
overcome problems with spreadsheet design and
production

Element:

4. Produce simple charts

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Select chart type and design that enables valid
representation of numerical data, and meets
organisational and task requirements
4.2. Create charts using appropriate data range in the
spreadsheet
4.3. Modify chart type and layout using formatting
features

Element:

5. Finalise spreadsheets

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Preview, adjust and print spreadsheet and any
accompanying charts, in accordance with task
requirements
5.2. Ensure data input meets designated time lines and
organisational requirements for speed and accuracy
5.3. Name and store spreadsheet in accordance with organisational requirements and exit the application without data loss/damage


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students will use MS Office Excel for this competency.  Learning activities will include class-based discussions, demonstrations, practical exercises and observation in order to develop competency, including the underpinning skills and knowledge.  In addition to the assessments, formative feedback is provided to students throughout the duration of the course.

Some learning activities will include a self-directed approach.  Self-directed learning refers to organised teacher-directed learning activities that you will undertake independently, either as individuals or with other students.

Induction Session
Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

• Program overview and requirements
• MyRMIT/Blackboard
• Overview of assessment requirements
• Pre-Training Review including:
o Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
o Assessment of current skills and knowledge
• Competency/Grading Criteria
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities
 


Teaching Schedule

Week Week commencing Content/Topic/Element of Competency Assessment
1 09 February


Introduction to the Course including:
• Course requirements
• Course support documents
• Course Blackboard access
• Accuracy of enrolment
• Assessment requirements/Cover Sheets
• Reminder re Plagiarism
• Reminder re Appeals
• Extensions/Resubmissions
• Feedback in this course
• Reminder re submission requirements
• Getting help

Workplace health & safety in business offices

 
 2  16 February

Select and prepare resources/Plan spreadsheet design
Topic 1 What is a spreadsheet?
Topic 2 The Excel environment
Topic 3 Basic operations in Excel

 

 
 3  23 February

Plan spreadsheet design/Create spreadsheet
Topic 4 Navigating your data
Topic 5 Summing & editing your data
Topic 6 More efficient data entry
 

 
 4 02 March

Create spreadsheeet
Topic 7 An introduction to formatting
Topic 8 Mathematic principles
Topic 9 Creating simple formulas

 

Demonstration of Techniques Assessment (Topics 1-7 and WHS). Feedback will be provided immediately. If required, the student will be able to re-demonstrate their techniques in order to achieve competence.
 5

 

09 March

Create spreadsheet
Topic 10 More about cell references
Topic 11 Working with functions
Topic 12 Editing formulas & functions
 

Demonstration of Techniques Assessments (Topics 8-12). Feedback will be provided immediately. If required, the student will be able to re-demonstrate their techniques in order to achieve competence.
 6 16 March Create spreadsheet
Topic 13 Organising your worksheets
Topic 14 Viewing & printing your worksheet
 
 
 7 23 March Produce simple charts
Topic 15 Creating a chart
 
 
 8a

Online class

30 March

Create spreadsheet
Topic 16 Modifying your worksheet

 Online days 30 March, 31 March, 01 April

 
  2-8 April

 

MID-SEMESTER BREAK 2-8 April

 

 
8b

Online class

09 April

Create spreadsheet
Topic 16 Modifying your worksheet

Online days 09 April, 10 April

 
 9

13 April

 

Create spreadsheet
Topic 17 More formatting

 

 
 10 20 April

Create spreadsheet
Topic 18 Efficient text entry and correction

 

 
 11  27 April

Create spreadsheet
Topic 19 Using pictures in your worksheets

 

Demonstration of Techniques Assessment (Topics 13-19). Feedback will be provided immediately. If required, the student will be able to re-demonstrate their techniques in order to achieve competence.
 12

ONLINE CLASS

04 May

Finalise spreadsheet
Topic 20 Storing your workbooks

 
 
 13 11 May

Finalise spreadsheet
Topic 20 Storing your workbooks
 

Demonstration of Techniques Assessment (Topic 20). Feedback will be provided immediately. If required, the student will be able to re-demonstrate their techniques in order to achieve competence.
 14  18 May Revision  
 15 25 May Applying your skills/knowledge Final Assessment (Workplace Scenario). Feedback will be provided in week 16. If required, re-submission for this assessment is due by the end of week 17.
 16 01 June Interviews/Re-submissions if required  
17 08 June Interviews/Re-submissions if required  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Tilde skills - CUSTOM
Produce Spreadsheets Microsoft Excel 2010
Tilde Publishing

9780734607980


References


Other Resources

RMIT Library

myRMIT


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work based or course activities.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.


Assessment Tasks

Critical aspects of evidence

  • Evidence of the following is essential:
  • Designing spreadsheets that address a range of data and organisational requirements
  • Using software functions, graphics and support materials to create spreadsheets
  • Knowledge of formatting requirements of workplace documents

To be successful in ’Produce Spreadsheets’ you must complete 2 assessments. Once they have been completed and you have been deemed competent to industry standard, a grade will be applied.

TASK 1: Demonstration of Techniques - Due Weeks 4, 5, 11 and 13

You will complete activities/exercises in class and you will be required to demonstrate your techniques to your teacher during weeks 4, 5, 11, and 13. 

TASK 2: Final assessment (In-class assignment/demonstration of techniques/test) - Due Week 15

The final in-class assessment is an "open book" assessment and will be taken under supervised conditions.  This assessment will cover all topics/elements of competency/performance criteria covered in class in the previous weeks.

Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted via MyRMIT (BLACKBOARD) or hard copy, if required.

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse:ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions

If you are found to be Not Yet Competent in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is "CAG".

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:

More information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse:ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as "competency-based training" (CBT).  So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based educational settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.  You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing.  Once competent in all elements of the unit you pass that unit of competency.

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognised against industry standards and employability skills.

Final Grades Table:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Graded assessment criteria - when your work is assessed the following criteria are used:

1. Level of independence, initiative, enterprise and performance of the work task
You will need to show that you can use initiative, enterprise and accepted performance to produce the exercises and activities on a weekly basis.  After receiving feedback from your teacher, you will need to show that you have improved your skills, based on the feedback given.

2. Demonstrated breadth of underpinning knowledge and a willingness to continue learning
You will identify the underpinning knowledge/skills required to produce spreadsheets.  In particular you should demonstrate literacy skills in being able to interpret and follow instructions in the self-paced textbook and undertake backup procedures in order to protect the security of your work.  In addition, you will need to demonstrate a variety of strategies to be able to plan and review your own work, including proofreading and editing skills to check for the accuracy and consistency of information.  You will also need to demonstrate numeracy skills when developing and using the spreadsheets as well as an understanding of software functions required to produce spreadsheets.  You should identify any gaps in your knowledge/skills and demonstrate a willingness to continue learning by actively seeking assistance from your teacher in the first instance.  You will need to demonstrate your understanding of relevant legislation, standards and codes that may affect business operations, such as: anti-discrimination legislation, ethical principles, codes of practice and occupational health and safety.

3. Techniques and processes, technology skills and problem solving
You will demonstrate an understanding of the functions of spreadsheets as these apply in a business context.

4. Work organisation, planning and self-management
You will demonstrate your organisational skills by ensuring you attend classes and bring all resources required to study and develop the required skills, for example textbooks, notes and any other required resources.  You will also complete the self-paced exercises and activities in a timely manner, as far as practicable, produce these when requested to your teacher, in the weeks when these become due.

5. Communication, people networking, language and interpersonal skills and teamwork
You will communicate in a manner suitable for a business environment while in class.  You will be aware of others needs and maintain a respectful manner when communicating with both teachers and your peers.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information


Course Overview: Access Course Overview