Spreadsheets for First Time InDesign Users
When thinking about the word spreadsheet, our first thoughts are often of complicated formulas, pie charts and graphs, along with tables that go on for pages. While spreadsheets certainly hold their purpose in performing calculations, they also provide a powerful tool for organizing and visualizing information.
Spreadsheet Examples
The following examples provide some ways that spreadsheets could be incorporated into a material designing class for instructors.
Google Forms for Self-Quizzing: Students will create a spreadsheet composed of mastery question and turn it into a form using Google Docs. This form will also students to create a self-quizzing document in which they may test their knowledge of key design terminology or tools. Additionally, a template from Kern Kelley provides a self-grading element that could be turned in for credit.
Creating a Storyboard: Students will create a similar document for planning their course materials. In place of characters, they will brainstorm about the audience who will be using the materials. In place of music, they will discuss where the materials fit into their lesson plans and whether a template could be created for use in simliar lessons.
Creating a Project List: Students will create a spreadsheet with similar information and instead of tracking books read, they will track materials in progress. This will allow both the student and instructor to see what has been accomplished and help the student to create a timeline to finish the rest of their assignments.
Evaluation Form: Students will create a spreadsheet compiled of design requirements and use Google forms to answer the questions. This will serve as a checklist for students and help them to make sure they have met all assignment requirements before turning it in for grading.
Spreadsheet Lesson Plan
Project Title:
Using Google Spreadsheets and Gadgets to Create Flashcards for InDesign Vocabulary
Lesson Designed for:
Introductory class on creating course materials with the educator in mind. This vocabulary lesson could easily be saved by students and used for each section of the course.
About the Lesson:
When learning any new software application, students will find an array of new vocabulary terms and concepts to master. By creating flashcards in a spreadsheet, students will be able to easily input any new terms or concepts that they come across. Using conditional formatting or color coding, students will be able to categorize each term into areas such as tools, type and layout. When read to study, they will be able to easily print out or view a study list and highlight the terms that need to be mastered. Additionally, by establishing the spreadsheet in Google Docs, students may use Gadgets to turn their sheet into an interactive study guide. Gadgets may be created by highlighting everything in the the two columns, except the header, then going to Insert > Gadget. For this activity, students will use the Flashcard Gadget, but there are a wide array of gadgets that work nicely for vocabulary and concept review (see examples section towards bottom of page.)
Spreadsheet Layout:
Headers: Column One should contain "Vocabulary Term" and Column Two should contain "Definition"
Columns: Students will insert vocabulary and definitions from their textbook, presentations and may also use the list provided by Dcmrsburnett.wikispaces.com.
Objectives:
Vocabulary definitions from: Dcmrsburnett.wikispaces.com
Resources:
For information and instruction on the Google Flash Card Gadget, visit this site.
Spreadsheet Examples
The following examples provide some ways that spreadsheets could be incorporated into a material designing class for instructors.
Google Forms for Self-Quizzing: Students will create a spreadsheet composed of mastery question and turn it into a form using Google Docs. This form will also students to create a self-quizzing document in which they may test their knowledge of key design terminology or tools. Additionally, a template from Kern Kelley provides a self-grading element that could be turned in for credit.
Creating a Storyboard: Students will create a similar document for planning their course materials. In place of characters, they will brainstorm about the audience who will be using the materials. In place of music, they will discuss where the materials fit into their lesson plans and whether a template could be created for use in simliar lessons.
Creating a Project List: Students will create a spreadsheet with similar information and instead of tracking books read, they will track materials in progress. This will allow both the student and instructor to see what has been accomplished and help the student to create a timeline to finish the rest of their assignments.
Evaluation Form: Students will create a spreadsheet compiled of design requirements and use Google forms to answer the questions. This will serve as a checklist for students and help them to make sure they have met all assignment requirements before turning it in for grading.
Spreadsheet Lesson Plan
Project Title:
Using Google Spreadsheets and Gadgets to Create Flashcards for InDesign Vocabulary
Lesson Designed for:
Introductory class on creating course materials with the educator in mind. This vocabulary lesson could easily be saved by students and used for each section of the course.
About the Lesson:
When learning any new software application, students will find an array of new vocabulary terms and concepts to master. By creating flashcards in a spreadsheet, students will be able to easily input any new terms or concepts that they come across. Using conditional formatting or color coding, students will be able to categorize each term into areas such as tools, type and layout. When read to study, they will be able to easily print out or view a study list and highlight the terms that need to be mastered. Additionally, by establishing the spreadsheet in Google Docs, students may use Gadgets to turn their sheet into an interactive study guide. Gadgets may be created by highlighting everything in the the two columns, except the header, then going to Insert > Gadget. For this activity, students will use the Flashcard Gadget, but there are a wide array of gadgets that work nicely for vocabulary and concept review (see examples section towards bottom of page.)
Spreadsheet Layout:
Headers: Column One should contain "Vocabulary Term" and Column Two should contain "Definition"
Columns: Students will insert vocabulary and definitions from their textbook, presentations and may also use the list provided by Dcmrsburnett.wikispaces.com.
Objectives:
- Students will track new design terms and concepts.
- Students will categorize terms into course topics such as type, layout and tools.
- Students will use their created spreadsheet as a glossary and form of review.
- Students will create an interactive review of terms through Gadgets.
Vocabulary definitions from: Dcmrsburnett.wikispaces.com
Resources:
For information and instruction on the Google Flash Card Gadget, visit this site.
Spreadsheet Lesson Plan Examples
Vocabulary Spreadsheet:
Flash Cards:
Additional Gadgets:
Word Search:
WordGuess: