Term 3 - Microsoft Excel
Teen Payroll Spreadsheet - Problem #12 (using formulas to calculate gross and net pay) - 1/12 - 1/13/12
In this excercise, we were required to use a series of formulasto calculate a model payroll, with an emphasis on gross and net pay. We were then required to answer a series of questions about the results of the calculations.The asignment required a basic understanding of Microsoft Excel, yet also required a broad understanding of the different functions of formulas that the program features; this assignment, in my opinion, strengthened my flexibility with excel, and made me feel much more comfortable using the formulas for the rest of the term. From a personal perspective, I think I did well on the assignment, and I especially liked the aesthetics, as most of my assignments like in that regard. I personally think that this assignment was one of my stronger ones. It's for this reason that I believe I couldn't improve upon any assignment, which passed my litmus test of "visually appealing and factually accurate."
Formula Functions Spreadsheet - Problem #22 (creating a grade book to calculate student grades) - 3/12 - 3/13/12
This assignmented was very similar to Teen Payroll, insofar as it required us to do something very similar, but in a different scenario - as opposed to salary, this assignment had us create a mock gradebook. The assignment's required skill set were identical to that of the previous - basic Excel, and flexibility with formulas. I felt that the assignment didn't teach me anything, aside from introducing a broader range of uses for the program, which I had unfortunately neglected prior to taking this class. Unlike Teen Payroll, I felt that this assignment lacked the visual appeal, which the black block in the middle of the page didn't help with very much. If I had the opprotunity to redo it, I would definitely alter the structure and color of the document to create less of an eye sore.
Raises Spreadsheet Activity #48 (using the IF function to calculate employee pay raises) - 4/9 - 4/10/12
This assignment required a bit more work than any other Excel document that we'd worked on, primarily due to the complex nature of the formulas involved; in the assignment, we had to determine employee pay raises based on a series of factors using the IF function. This assignment required an advanced understanding of fundamental skills, specifically those that involve functions and formulas. Personally, I felt that this assignment was the climax of my educational experience in Microsoft Excel, as it was the most complicated formula assignment; through it, I definitely developed an air tight grasp on Excel, and I think it embodies the fruit of my work during this term. Given the opprotunity to go back, I would leave it as it is, unless to do some visual additions.