Help+Menus+in+Microsoft+Excel


 * Lesson Page: http://oit.wikispaces.com/iSquad+Lessons**

=USING HELP MENUS IN EXCEL=


 * SETTING THE STAGE** //(To be reviewed before the session begins.)//

In this session, participants will discover how to show others how to use help menus when trying to figure out a feature in Microsoft Excel.
 * Session Overview**

What is a good tool to help others use technology effectively? How can I support others in becoming more independent using technology?
 * Focusing Questions**

The following materials are used in this session: -Laptops -Projector
 * Materials**

N/A
 * Resources**


 * INSTRUCTION** //(Typically lasts about 20% of session.)//

iSquaders, many of you have told me that your teachers and fellow students often get stuck when trying to figure things out in different applications on the computer and that you’ve been really good at going around and trying to help them. Today, I’m going to show you a tool you can show others in your class so that they can work more independently in the future.
 * Framing the Session**

Let’s say that someone in your class wants to know how to make the title of their work really stand out and they remembered seeing someone else’s project with animated text, so they ask you how to animate text. Rather than just tell them how, show them how to find out for themselves. Watch me as I show you how I go to the help menu and type in the search term “animate text.” See what happens? It gives me exactly the steps I need to go through to animate the text.
 * Teaching**

Now it is your turn to try it. What are some interesting features that someone might want to use in Excel?
 * Guided Practice**

(Note to faculty advisor: This is your opportunity to get students thinking about interesting features in Excel that they can practice with during work time.)

Select one of the items that the students came up with and watch as they practice what they would do to show a teacher or student how to carry out this task in Excel.


 * WORK TIME** //(Typically lasts about 60–70% of session.)//

Okay, iSquaders, it looks like you’re ready to do this on your own. Today you and a partner are going to spend the next 20 minutes practicing how to show others to use the “Help” menu in Excel so they can work independently. When the 20 minutes are up, we will come back together and share what you’ve found.
 * Getting Started**

__Step 1__ Talk to your partner about some of the interesting features you’ve used in Microsoft Excel. __Step 2__ Select one student to play the iSquad member and the other to play a teacher needing help. __Step 3__ The teacher needing help will ask the iSquader for help and the iSquader will assist. __Step 4__ The iSquader will help the teacher to use the requested feature in Excel. Note: remember not to touch anyone else’s computer. You can demonstrate or explain, but it is important that the person you are helping does this on their own. __Step 5__ Select another feature in Excel and reverse roles. __Step 6__ If you have time continue with other features reversing roles after each feature is explained.
 * Participant Activity**

While participants are practicing, walk around the room to offer support and guidance.
 * Facilitator Conferring**

A common conference that may arise during this lesson is best strategies in supporting teachers and students who need help. If this is what you chose to confer about, explain effective ways to speak to a teacher or student needing assistance. You might begin your conference by asking, “How did you feel about the way this was explained to you?” “What did you like?” “Was there a way you could have felt more comfortable?”

When conferring with students find examples of something that iSquaders did that was very successful when supporting the teacher or student in using Excel features.
 * SHARE** //(Typically lasts about 10–20% of session.)//
 * Share**

When you bring the students together for the share, refer them to your lesson’s focusing questions and ask, “What is a good tool to help others use technology effectively?” Answer, “Help menus.” “How can I support others in becoming more independent using technology?” Have students who had successful support strategies share their techniques with the class.

Author: Lisa Nielsen Email: lnielsen@schools.nyc.gov School/Employer: NYC DOE Title: Instructional Technology Specialist
 * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**