Video Technology for Excel Competency Programs By Joseph M. Manzo Lehigh University jmm6@Lehigh.edu

OVERVIEW OF TODAY’S PRESENTATION Purpose: To share my experience in developing a video reference and teaching tool for Microsoft Excel Lehigh University’s College of Business and Economics. Topics Conditions and Needs The Excel competency program at Lehigh Developing a video tool at Lehigh Demonstration Current and future applications

CONDITIONS AND NEEDS Conditions Excel is an every day tool for professionals in business. The emergence of not for credit / not for grade competency programs. Professors are teaching applications of Excel in class through multiple demonstrations. Students will forget most software skills if they do not use them. Needs How Excel is used, not how it works. An in class experience outside the class room. Reduce or eliminate in-class Excel demonstrations. A tool for relearning skills when they are needed.

THE EXCEL COMPETENCY PROGRAM AT LEHIGH Who / When All freshmen business students and transfers First fall and spring semester Core competency Skills required calculate data and conduct “What-if” scenarios. Formulas, Charts, Functions: IF, V-Lookup, FV Students must pass a competency exam before registering for first accounting class (April spring semester) Passing grade is 80% or higher Not for grade or credit Skills Requirements

BENEFITS OF THE EXCEL COMPETENCY PROGRAM Allows students who come to Lehigh with strong Excel skills to take the competency exam and complete the requirement Focuses on skills students will likely use during their undergraduate classes Gives students flexibility to attend various seminars and exams Students must pass the exam and retake if they don’t pass Provides the core essential skills to get students up and running on Excel as quickly as possible

DEVELOPING A VIDEO TECHNOLOGY TOOL Collection of videos on CD ROM Filmed using advanced camera technology Smartboard for written demonstrations Green Screen technology to display Excel screen NOT a voice over screen capture model Only live takes…..no editing

Absolute References & Formulas VIDEO DEMONSTRATION Absolute References & Formulas

CURRENT APPLICATIONS & TECHNICAL SPECS CD & Book Core skills Freshman receive over the summer to prepare for the Excel Competency exam. Reference tools for future classes 640x480 resolution; 30 frames per second; .rm Camtasia access menu Streaming Videos Advanced skill content (Regression, Histograms, etc.) Professors assign or refer students instead of doing in class demonstration. 320x240; 30 frames per second; .rm Custom web site access

BENEFITS OF BOOK AND VIDEO Quick reference tool Includes more business applications and assignments Address learning styles Text Inverse Pictures Demonstration

Senior Competency Program vs. Integration in the Curriculum FUTURE APPLICATIONS - ACCESS Covered in the Sophomore year Not used by faculty Students are not confident with skills in their Senior year Senior Competency Program vs. Integration in the Curriculum

NEEDS RECAP How Excel is used, not how it works. An in class experience outside the class room. Reduced in-class Excel demonstrations. A tool for relearning skills when they are needed.

QUESTIONS???