( Latest revision: October 08, 2006 )

FIRST SPREADSHEET PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

IMPORTANT

Read all these directions before starting to do this project.

MAKE A GRADE BOOK

Create a grade book for a class of 10 students. Build the spreadsheet across a page, with each graded activity having one column and each student having one row.

The first column of the grade book must contain the student names, written in the form: last name, first name. Note: It is important that the names not be in alphabetical order when you enter them originally.

The grade book must include at least seven graded activities for each student. The activities can be exams, quizzes, projects, or what have you. You must use the same scale for all the activities. For example, all activities could be worth 100 points, or all could be worth 25 points. Each column must have a title indicating the content of that column.

Finish entering all the data into the grade book, including numerical grades for all the activities of all the students. Make sure that all the grades are uniformly and appropriately formatted (a fixed, right-justified decimal representation with no more than two digits to the right of the decimal point). Create a title, header, or footer containing your name, "CS 4000", "First Spread Sheet Project" and "Version #1." Next save and print the grade book. (Hint: You can probably get everything to fit well on one page if you adjust column widths compactly and print in "landscape mode.")

Next, sort the spreadsheet in ascending order, according to the last names of the students. Make sure that the sorting keeps each student name together with its row of grades! Alter your title, header, or footer to identify the document as version #2, and print this sorted version. Save the document under a name different from version #1.

Now add a column of formulas which show, for each student, the average of her/his seven grades. Also add a row of formulas that give, for each activity, the average student score. You must use formulas to create this column and row. Add titles for your new column and row. Alter your document title, header, or footer to identify the document as version #3. Format the new cells so that all numbers are displayed uniformly with an appropriate decimal format, as described above. Save the document under a name different from versions #1 and #2. Now print the grade book showing the values for the averages.

Finally, alter your title, header, or footer to identify the document as version #4 and print the grade book again showing formulas, gridlines, row headings, and column headings. This last printout is very important. I need to be able to verify that you have used correct formulas. (In Excel for Windows, you can toggle the formula-display mode with the key combination: ctrl-` ("control-backquote"). In Appleworks, you choose Display from the Options menu and then check the Formulas box. In Excel for Windows, you use print settings on the "Sheet" tab of "Page Setup" to get "gridlines" and "row and column headings.") The last printout will undoubtedly require two pages. That's OK - it's important that the columns be wide enough so none of the formulas is obscured.

MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR WORK

For the second spreadsheet project, you will be asked to make a new version of the grade book. In order to avoid considerable duplication of effort, be sure to keep a copy of version #3.

NOTE ON GRADING CRITERIA

Your grade book will be graded for accuracy and readability. Consider using boldface for some cells, or other formatting 'tricks' to make your spreadsheet more readable. Be very attentive to checking the correctness of your formulas. This will count heavily. After you succeed in making an answer appear in a cell you need to verify it.

WHAT TO TURN IN

You must turn in one copy of each of the four printouts you made.

THE DUE DATE OF SPREADSHEET ASSIGNMENT #1

Check the class schedule for due dates.

HOW TO TURN IN THE ASSIGNMENT

Turn in the assignment in class on the due date or on any class day before the due date. Put your paper on the podium before class starts.