Advanced Computer Applications

Secure Technology Operations

Word Processing and Publishing

Spreadsheet Applications

Presentation Software

Information Management & Integration

Correctly and safely execute basic file management operations on a typical personal computer and shared storage media, including the opening, creating, copying, moving, deleting, and renaming of files and folders, as well as searching for a specified file or folder on local hard drives, removable storage, or networked storage media. Build upon this knowledge to effectively use cloud storage and/or online digital collaboration platforms and file sharing applications. Appraise file storage needs for a given project, recommend and effectively employ the appropriate file storage and sharing solution given project characteristics. 

Correctly and safely import and export digital files (such as text, audio, video, and picture files in a variety of formats) from local and networked devices, choosing and employing the correct cables, removable storage media, and/or hardwired or wireless network connections. Perform basic troubleshooting as needed for enhancing productivity and optimizing performance of devices such as cameras, scanners, printers, and tablets. Perform basic operations to change file types for effective use in typical software applications. For example, connect an iPad via a wireless network, download photos from the device, and change the format of the photos from .jpg to .png format for use in a presentation application. 

Building on standards from Computer Applications, create and manage professional documents of business activities to communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Fluently navigate word processing software to complete the following: 

Effectively review, revise, and format text, paragraphs, and sections for a specific type of word processing file (such as a company report, memo, or invoice) by completing the following skills fluently:

Choose, employ, and manipulate text structure tools such as tables and lists to convey specific information accurately, demonstrating understanding of categories or hierarchies in the information, by completing the following skills fluently:

Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, assessing the strengths and limitations of each source, and integrate the source accurately into the document using citations, references, and footnotes. Select appropriate notation formatting for a given style, such as Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or the Chicago Manual of Style.

Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to address a question or solve a problem. 

Building on standards from Computer Applications, use a spreadsheet application to create and manage worksheets and workbooks for business functions such as invoices, financial statements, data review and summarization, and statistical analysis. 

Given a specific document purpose, accurately create cells and ranges to effectively manage data, draw conclusions from analysis, and structure for ease of readability.

Translate quantitative or technical information between text, visuals, data, and equations by accurately creating and using tables. 

Accurately determine appropriate calculations (formulas and functions) for analysis to draw conclusions about sets of data, including: 

Analyze needed structure and objects (such as charts and graphs) to convey particular meaning or draw conclusions from a dataset. 

Building on standards from Computer Applications, use presentation software to create and manage clear and coherent multimedia presentation materials for a given audience, task, purpose, and length of presentation. Fluently navigate software to: 

For a given content, select and employ appropriate structure to convey meaning and organize information into categories and hierarchies appropriately, including:

Create slide content that is clear and coherent, in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to a given task, purpose, and audience, including: 

Effectively employ transitions and animations to convey meaning without distracting from slide content.

Develop, manage, and strengthen content by planning, revising, and editing presentations, including: 

Throughout the course, conduct a sustained research project to answer a question or solve a problem. Synthesize research into an argument that is established, developed, and supported with multiple sources of data and evidence. Demonstrate authentic technical skills in word processing, presentations, and spreadsheet applications, effectively combining functionality of multiple software applications to present a coherent final project, including a report (with imported data, appendixes, etc.) and presentation with appropriate citations from text. Use selected technology to produce, publish, and update final projects. 

Select a historical event, scientific procedure, or technical process to narrate in a comprehensive report and presentation, practicing effective word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation skills. Develop and strengthen writing and data organization through planning, revising, peer-review, editing, and rewriting throughout the course.

Create a document from a blank document, template, imported file, or non-native document imported into word processing software 

Search for text within a document, insert hyperlinks, create bookmarks and use “Go To” functionality efficiently

Modify page setup, select and employ appropriate document themes and style set(s) for a given project and insert headers, footers, page numbers, and watermarks

Customize viewing options to effectively navigate a project using application tools such as zoom, toolbars, ribbons, macros, and shortcut keys

Configure documents to scale, print, and save effectively, including maintaining backwards compatibility with previous software versions and password protecting if necessary

Revise documents using find and replace, copy and paste, AutoCorrect, and inserting special characters where needed

Edit documents by changing font attributes, using format painter tools, highlighting where needed, and using WordArt

Effectively determine and update paragraph, line, and character spacing

Discriminate between appropriate and inappropriate ordering and grouping of text, objects, and sections, creating a professional document by preventing paragraph “widows” and “orphans,” inserting breaks in pages and sections, utilizing columns where appropriate, and modifying object formatting for smooth flow of text 

Create a table by converting text, importing data from another application, defining table dimensions and labeling appropriately 

Review and modify existing tables using styles, fonts, sorting and formula capabilities, and cell margin and table dimension configurations 

Create and modify lists by employing bullets, numbering, and outlines and editing indention, spacing, and levels

Integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoid plagiarism, and over-reliance on any one source

Insert, manage the locations, and auto-update endnotes, footnotes, citations, and bibliographies following a standard format

Add and modify the font, format, location, and position of captions

Insert quick parts, textboxes, and customizable building blocks 

Insert and format simple shapes and SmartArt, formatting their properties (color, size, shape) and text wrapping to seamlessly integrate into document

Insert and format image files, including modifying with effects and updating properties to ensure effective integration with text and other objects 

Create new workbooks from blank worksheets, templates, imported and nonnative files

Navigate through existing workbooks by searching for specific data, inserting hyperlinks, changing worksheet order and using “Go To” and “Name Box” functions

Format worksheets and workbooks using colors, page setup options, columns and rows, themes, watermarks, headers and footers, and setting data validation

Customize options and views for workbooks, including hiding columns, rows, and worksheets, editing toolbars, ribbons, and macros, freezing panes and utilizing short cut keys

Configure worksheets and workbooks for effective printing and saving, including setting print area, changing file formats, setting print scaling, and maintaining backwards compatibility if needed 

Insert, review, and append data in cells and ranges using find and replace, copy and paste, AutoFill, expanding data across cells, and inserting and deleting cells 

Format cells and ranges for a given purpose, including merging cells, modifying alignment, font, wrap-text, and indentation and employing WordArt and number formatting when appropriate

Order and group cells and ranges by applying conditional formatting, inserting sparklines, transposing columns and rows, creating named ranges, inserting subtotals, and collapsing groups of data

Effectively navigate between tables and ranges, adding or removing cells and defining titles 

Modify styles and format of a table to convey meaning, including applying styles, banding rows and columns, and inserting totals or averages

Filter and sort information effectively, including filtering records, sorting data on multiple columns, changing sort order to highlight specific information, and removing duplicates to enhance analysis 

Utilize cell range and references (relative, mixed, absolute) to complete functions accurately based on specific question sought to address, including accurate understanding of order of operations

Summarize data with functions such as sum, average, minimum, maximum, and count

Utilize conditional logic in functions (if-then statements) to accurately discriminate data for analysis

Format and modify text with functions

Create charts and graphs that summarize appropriate data series, including differentiating between rows and columns in source data

Format charts and graphs by modifying legends, sizes, parameters, layouts and styles and positioning

Insert and format an object (such as a textbox, SmartArt or image) and format its border, positioning, properties, styles and effects and colors

Create new presentations from blank slides, templates, and important files and/or file content (such as outlines or text from word processing files) 

Format a presentation to achieve a style appropriate to a given audience and industry by applying slide masters, layouts, background images, page numbers, headers and footers, and presentation themes

Customize presentation options and views to ensure accurate page setup, printing (color/grayscale), and navigation

Configure presentations to print for handouts or notes and save to maintain appropriate settings by determining most applicable handout print options, package presentations for CD, save presentations as webpages, and maintain backwards compatibility where needed

Configure and present slideshows in a public speaking setting, paying close attention to slide timing, resolution, annotations, options, and appropriate views for a given presentation venue

Add slide layouts, duplicate, hide, and delete slides, and modify slide backgrounds and styles

Insert and format shapes, including applying borders, resizing, and applying styles to both custom and template shapes

Order and group shapes and slides by inserting section headers, modifying slide order, aligning and grouping shapes, and displaying gridlines

Insert and format text such as WordArt, columns, hyperlinks, and bulleted and numbered lists 

Insert and format tables and charts, including modifying rows, columns, and legends, applying styles, modifying parameters and importing from external sources

Insert and format SmartArt and images, including adding shapes, changing colors, adding and moving text, resize, crop, and apply styles

Insert and format appropriate media, including video and audio clips, by adjusting window size, setting start/stop times, setting options, and linking to external sources

Insert transitions between slides, manage multiple transitions, and modify transition effect options

Animate slide content including applying animations to shapes and paths and modifying animation properties

Set timings for transitions and animations to ensure appropriate duration, order, and start/stop times for effects 

Merge content from multiple presentations and reuse appropriate slides with separate or similar formatting

Track changes and resolve differences (such as discarding changes or managing comments) to focus on what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience

Protect and share presentations using encryption, passwords, media compression, and permissions, while ensuring accessibility and compatibility are maintained for a given situation or scenario