Chapter Features

Project and Situation

Each lesson is introduced with a situation relevant to today’s student experience, from building a personal financial budget to working in the registrar’s office at a college. Each scenario then requires the use of Microsoft Office 2013 to solve a problem or complete an assignment.

Lessons Connected to Project Learning Objectives

Each lesson maps directly to a learning objective, so students and instructors can be sure they know the material when a chapter’s project and exercises are complete.

Clear Pedagogical Approach Supports Learning

Each lesson presents skills in a step-by-step approach. First, a “Lesson Overview” presents key terms and other general information regarding the learning outcome for that particular skill. Next, a “Skills Preview” table lists the individual Microsoft Office 2013 skills the lesson covers, including keyboard shortcuts and navigation directions. The last section in each lesson is the application of this information, found in “Project Practice.” These exercises build upon knowledge gained in earlier lessons, adding new skills one at a time.

Heads Up, Tip, and More Info Boxes

Throughout each chapter, boxed items call attention to important content that helps you successfully perform the tasks in each lesson. Look for “Heads Up” boxes to alert you to potential hidden pitfalls within Microsoft Office, “Tip” boxes for additional information about navigation or keyboard shortcuts, and “More Info” boxes for extra, detailed information related to a skill.

Quizzes and Hands-On Exercises

Chapters are broken out into two projects, and each project contains its own quiz and three hands-on exercises. These hands-on exercises, called “Work It Out,” assess a student’s mastery of the material up to that point. In total, each chapter contains two multiple-choice quizzes and six hands-on exercises to provide more opportunity for skill practice and understanding.

End of Chapter Material

Each chapter ends with a brief chapter summary, a list of key terms, and two comprehensive chapter exercises, called “On Your Own.” In these exercises, a student uses all the skills in the chapter to complete a unique project. Instructors may assign these as homework, and students may keep them for a portfolio piece.