E-Course reviews - Microsoft Excel - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Training & Development, Dec, 2001

Learning the extensive functionality of Microsoft Excel requires a super-extra advanced course. Unfortunately, none exist. Content of courses that are available can vary significantly, and publishers disagree on whether application tools require intermediate or advanced study. For example, some advanced courses review high-level data manipulation and macros, while others may cover Web publication or interactive PivotCharts. Before purchasing, determine the features you need to learn, and review the content of each course closely.

Highly Recommended

**** Microsoft Excel 2000 Series: Data Analysis and Dissemination: 8 hours, US$99 for 6 months of course access. Publisher: DigitalThink

DigitalThink uses screen shots, mouseovers, and animation to instruct learners on a project that asks them to use their desktop copy of Excel. That approach lets users explore the live application, but forces them to download files and flip between the course and desktop. Integrated case studies provide context, and new Excel 2000 terms link to a glossary.

**** Microsoft Excel 2000: Advanced: 6 to 8 hours, US$75 for 1 year of course access. Publisher: ActiveEducation

ActiveEducation balances text explanations with guided activities. That flexibility enables users to read text instructions before deciding whether to complete an activity. The approach, however, makes it easy for learners to skim activities.

Recommended

*** 1/2 Excel 2000: Advanced: 2 to 3 hours, US$199 for 1 year of access to Element K's Office Productivity Library. Publisher: Element K

Element K uses short, simulation-based learning objects, allowing learners to access as much or as little information as they need. The instructions are good and cover different methods for completing tasks. However, the course may offer too much guided instruction to keep advanced users interested, and just clicking through the simulations can become a passive experience.

Adequate

*** Microsoft Excel 2000 Expert: 3 to 4 hours, US$99 for perpetual course license. Publisher: Educational Multimedia

This course covers intermediate and advanced features, including useful tips for keyboard and toolbar shortcuts. Regrettably, the course lacks context and some information seems geared to introductory learners. The interface is user-friendly but slow to load.

*** Microsoft Excel 2000. Expert User: 6 to 8 hours, US$74.95 for 1 year of course access. Publisher: NETg

This course does a thorough job of presenting the material, but its spartan format offers only basic text explanations and few simulations. Although navigation can be slow, the course outline does let learners skip between sections. One negative: NETg explains how to use functions while neglecting to explain the function's purpose.

*** Microsoft Excel 2000 Advanced: 4 to 5 hours, US$69.95 for 1 year of course access. Publisher: Wave Technologies

This course is best suited as a review for learners already familiar with advanced Excel functions, covering such features as auditing worksheets and using VBA code. Overall, the course is effective, but some explanations are unclear, simulations are oversensitive to user error, and pre-assessments are unnecessarily long.

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RELATED ARTICLE: At a Glance

Microsoft Excel 2000 Series: Data Analysis and Dissemination (DigitalThink): Flexible presentation, good context for explanations. Requires learner dedication.

Microsoft Excel 2000: Advanced (ActiveEducation): Users work with live application. Requires flipping between course and desktop.

Excel 2000:Advanced (Element K): Users can access as much or as little information as they need. Too guided for advanced users; explanations lack context.

Microsoft Excel 2000 Expert (Educational Multimedia): Reviews intermediate and advanced Excel features, offers robust simulations and assessments. Some information is too basic.

Microsoft Excel 2000: Expert User (NETg): Flexible navigation, thorough simulations, but the explanations lack context.

Microsoft Excel 2000 Advanced (Wave Technologies): Good coverage of advanced Excel features. Some explanations are unclear, and the simulations are oversensitive to user error.