Microsoft Excel for Beginners: Real Life Examples, 3-Week Class

During this class, students will learn the basic functions of Microsoft Excel and get hands-on practice. We will begin by discussing real-world uses for Excel and related vocabulary. We will then dive in and begin using the program.  

This class will not only teach the basics of Excel, but it will excite students to discover ways they can use Excel in their everyday lives. I will share my screen so students can watch me using the program as I describe its functions.  Students should have Microsoft Excel on their computer prior to starting class, so they can use the program and follow along as I teach the class.  As time allows, the students will have the ability to share their screen in order to ask questions and share their work.  

Week 1: Learners will imagine they are planning a trip to Disney World!  We will use Excel to create a ride list and vacation schedule. Topics covered will include organizing data, formatting cells, and filtering.

Week 2: Learners will imagine they are throwing their family member a birthday party!  They will use Excel to create an invitation list and track RSVPs. Next, they will use Excel to create a party budget. New topics covered will include formatting for currency, sorting, the sum function, and a multiplication formula.

Week 3: Learners will imagine they are running the snack stand at the local football field. They will create graphs to show how much they have earned, define their most popular snack types, and compare their busiest times. New topics covered will include creating pie, bar and line graphs.

Topics covered will include:
•	Vocabulary (cell, column, row, worksheet, formula, budget, sum)
•	Organizing data
•	Gridlines
•	Formatting cells (color, currency, time)
•	Sum function
•	Multiplication formula
•	Sorting and filtering cells
•	Pie, bar, and line graphs 

In order to maximize class time for all students, please ensure your learner is signed into Excel before class begins. 
Students do not need any experience with Excel, but should have basic desktop or laptop knowledge, such as the ability to use a mouse, use a keyboard and open a program. This class can be, but does not have to be, taken before or after my “Microsoft Excel for Beginners: The Pet Sitting Project” class.

Other classes, availability and discounts:
I have more advanced class options and sibling discounts available. Please reach out for class suggestions and discounts.

If you'd prefer a more flexible schedule, I have a similar self-paced class. Please reach out for more information.

Troubleshooting during class:
Occasionally, learners may need additional help in completing a task in Excel. I am able to give students the ability to share their screen so that I can see exactly what they are looking at. Usually, this works very well, and I am able to talk them through the task. (This will not work if the learner is using Excel on a separate device than their Outschool class.) If the learner is still not able to complete the task, I am able to explain how they to grant me remote access so that I can complete the task for them. This allows us to move and cover all material in the class. If the learner is not able to grant remote access, I will ask they skip the step we are troubleshooting, and we will move on, in fairness to all learners. At the end of class, I will revisit the skipped step and further troubleshoot with the learner.