Independent Studies

In one of our classes we were assigned by our teacher to do an independent studies project.
For this project we are only given 5 days to complete it. Each day we had to work on it for two
hours. We get one hour in class and the other hour outside of school. We call it the Independent
Studies because we do everything our selves. What we do is choose a topic that we are
interested in. After we pick our topic we make a 5 day plan. The 5 day plan is for us to fallow
and not get off track. I decided to do this project on, Spreadsheets 101.

INDEPENDENT STUDIES: SPREADSHEET 101

I have decided to do my independent studies on spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are computer

applications that store and organize data.The reason why I chose this is because spreadsheets
can be used in my daily life. This is a tool and resource that can help me in my studies as well
as my future careers. There is not a single organization that does not utilize spreadsheets. All
the way from businesses to hospitals to doing homework as a student all use spreadsheets.

My 5 Day plan:

Day 1: Learn the overall layout of a spreadsheet and also become familiar with it

Day 2: Research as well as learn all the vocabulary used in a spreadsheet

Day 3: Research and learn most of the formulas

Day 4: Research and learn most of the functions

Day 5: Apply my gained knowledge to assist me in projects for subjects

My intended goal for this project is to apply my gained knowledge of spreadsheets to help me
become more efficient and organized in subjects that require the collection of data in a neat and
organized format. If my goal is not met then I believe that the work and effort I put in this project
should be graded by the quality and not the quantity. I believe that it is better to learn one
element and fully learn it, be able to teach it, and apply it in my everyday tasks, rather than
learning the basics of several different elements and not fully understand it. Based on this I
would give myself a percentage of 80-90%. If I attain my goal, I believe that I should get
anywhere between 90-100%.
My 5 day Experience

Day 1: Learn the overall layout of a spreadsheet and also become familiar with it

Today I attempted the first day of my independent studies project. I learnt more than I expected.
I first started off my learning some of the basic vocabulary as well as what spreadsheets are
used for. I learnt that spreadsheets are like computer files that are used for collecting and
organizing data into columns and rows. I also learnt that the main spreadsheet program is
Microsoft Excel. Another thing that I learnt was what a cell is. Cells are intersections of rows and
columns. A row is identified as headings located on the left side of the worksheet and columns
are heading that are located on the top of the worksheet. I am very proud of myself for learning
all of this on my own and within two hours. I was kind of nervous at first because I didn't have
any to answer my questions and just be there if I needed them, but when I started to do my
research all my questions were answered and if something was confusing I would just take a
moment to think it through and research it more until I understood it fully

Day 2: Research as well as learn all the vocabulary used in a spreadsheet

Today is the second day of doing my independent studies project. I was very productive and
made sure I did not procrastinate. I learnt the main vocabulary used in a spreadsheet. The
vocabulary I learnt today are:

​Cell Reference: Location of the cell

Range: Always shows the beginning of the cell and the end. It contain a single or multiple
cell(s). Either contains a single or multiple row(s) and column(s).

Active Cells: Is in the nambox . It accepts the entering and entering of data.

Name box: Shows the location of of the cell.

Formula Bar: Shows the contents of a selected cell

Labels: The words that are called text. They are stored in spreadsheets, but cannot be used in
calculations.

Grid lines: solid lines that mark the rows as well as columns into boxes.

Rows and column headings: printed out as row numbers and column letters.

Formatting: A number that is formatted as &,% or a decimal.

Formulas: Mathematical statements used to calculate values. They always begin with a Equal
sign.

Operators: Used in excel using the order of operations

Circular Reference: When the cells formula refers to itself or another cell whose calculations
involve a current cell.

Function: Performs a task that is a single value.

Autosum: A symbol that adds numbers

Relative Cell Reference: Cell references that reflects the column or row it has been copied into

Absolute Cell Reference: Cell references that do not change when copied

The Round Function: A value that is changed by rounding it to a specific decimal

Fill handle: Solid square that is located in the lower right hand corner of a selected cell or block
of a cell.

Day 3: Research and learn most of the formulas

Today was day three of my independent studies project. This is so far my favourite part to learn
about, just because everything is just so completely new to me. I feel as if the formulas are like
codes. It is all a new language. I think that even after this project I will be learning about much
more advanced formulas used in spreadsheets. Here are fifteen examples of formulas I learnt:

1. =SUM(S7,W5)

This means that you want to add the cell S7 and W5.

2. =AVERAGE(S7,W5)

This means that you want to find the average of the cell S7 ans W5

3. =MAX(D4:H6)

This means that it returns the highest value in the list.

4. =MIN(S4:G11)

This means that it returns the lowest value in the list.

5. =DAYS

This is a formula that calculates the number of dates between two days.

6. =DATEVALUE
This is a formula that converts the above formula to a excel date, which is necessary if you plan
to use the date for calculations.

7. =TRIM

This formula used if you are always importing test into Excel.

8. =CONCATENATE

This is a formula joins contents of two or more fields/cells into one.

9. =S7-A7

This means that you want to subtract two numbers

10.=(G5*H7)

This means that you want to multiply two numbers together

Day 4: Research and learn most of the functions

Today was day four of my independent studies project, the second last day of my project. I
learnt that a function is a formula that performs a calculation using specific values in a specific
order. For example, =SUM(A9+B3). The "="sign is called and equal sign, the "SUM" is known as
the function name and "(A9+B3)" is called the argument. In a formula the function must begin
with an "=". Also in a function, the arguments must be surrounded with brackets and also be
separated by a colon or another symbol.

​Day 5: Apply my gained knowledge to assist me in projects for subjects

Today was day five of my independent studies project, the last day. I am extremely proud of
myself for learning everything about spreadsheets, by myself. Not only did I learn about the
topic, but I also learnt about what I am capable of doing. I learnt about the formats, formulas,
and vocabulary used in a spreadsheet. The knowledge I have gained within the five days, is
knowledge that will assist me in future projects and subjects as well as my future career. this is
the main reason why I wanted to learn about spreadsheets. Spreadsheets is something used in
every job. It is the most sufficient and beneficial way of collecting and organizing data. I truly
loved this project. I hope we do something similar to this in the future.