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Y8 - SU2.2 - Assessment of Data Report and Spreadsheets

⏱️ Do It Now

Create a OneNote Page and copy this into the title:

Lesson 2 - Summer Term 2 - Data Assessment & Introducing Spreadsheets



You now have an additional 20 minutes to finish your data representation report (from last lesson)



If you weren't here last lesson / didn't start the report

Complete five of each:

  1. Binary to Denary Conversions
  2. Hexadecimal Practice

Then, explain why we use binary and why we use hexadecimal

🎯 Learning Objectives


  • LO1: We will be able to reflect on our Data Representation Reports
  • LO2: We will be able to apply accurate grade descriptors to our work
  • LO3: We will learn what spreadsheets are and how formulae can be used to calculate the values of certain cells.

📑✅ Assessing The Data Report

Below is a rubric for you to assess the report you wrote

📊 What Is A Spreadsheet?

A spreadsheet is a program used to organise, store and calculate data.

Spreadsheets are useful because they can:

  • Store large amounts of data
  • Perform calculations automatically
  • Create charts and graphs
  • Help users analyse information quickly
A B
1 Name Maths Score
2 Alex 78
3 Sam 91

Examples: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and Apple Numbers.

📋 Why Do People Use Spreadsheets?

Imagine a teacher needs to calculate the average score for 150 students.

A spreadsheet can:

  • Calculate totals automatically
  • Calculate averages instantly
  • Update answers when data changes
  • Reduce human errors
A B
1 Student Score
2 Amy 75
3 Ben 80
4 Charlie 90
5 Average 81.7

The spreadsheet performs calculations for us automatically.

🧱 Rows and Columns

Spreadsheets are organised into rows and columns.

  • Rows run horizontally and are numbered.
  • Columns run vertically and are labelled with letters.
A B C
1 Name Score Grade
2 Alex 82 B

Columns are labelled with letters. Rows are labelled with numbers.

🔲 What Is A Cell?

A cell is a single box where a row and column meet.

A B
1 Name Score
2 Alex 82

The highlighted box is one cell.

🏷️ What Is A Cell Reference?

Every cell has a unique address called a cell reference.

A cell reference is made from:

  • The column letter
  • The row number
A B C
1 Name Score Grade
2 Alex 82 B

The highlighted cell is in column B and row 2.

Cell Reference = B2

➕ Creating A Formula

A formula always starts with an equals sign (=).

We can use cell references to tell the spreadsheet which values to calculate.

A B C
1 15 10
=A1+B1

This formula adds the value in A1 to the value in B1.

🧠 Formula Example

A B C
1 15 10 =A1+B1

The spreadsheet follows these steps:

  1. Look in A1 → 15
  2. Look in B1 → 10
  3. Add them together → 25
  4. Display the answer in C1

Advantage: If A1 or B1 changes, the answer updates automatically.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Spreadsheets - Mini-Whiteboard Activity

(1) Open the mini-whiteboard app in a new tab

(2) Your teacher will ask any of these questions:

(3) Once you have submitted your response to a question, screenshot it and paste your response into OneNote



  • What is a spreadsheet used for?
  • Name one thing a spreadsheet can do automatically.
  • Give an example of spreadsheet software.
  • Why might a teacher use a spreadsheet for student scores?
  • Do rows run horizontally or vertically?
  • How are rows labelled?
  • Do columns run horizontally or vertically?
  • How are columns labelled?
  • What is a cell?
  • What is the name of the box where a row and column meet?
  • What is a cell reference?
  • Which comes first in a cell reference: the row number or column letter?
  • What is the cell reference for column B, row 2?
  • What symbol must every formula begin with?
  • What does the formula =A1+B1 do?
  • If A1 contains 15 and B1 contains 10, what answer would =A1+B1 produce?
  • What happens to a formula result if the values it uses change?
  • Which cell would you look at first when calculating =A1+B1?
  • Why are spreadsheets useful for large amounts of data?
  • How do spreadsheets help reduce human error?